Game 6, Clippers lead best-of-seven 3-2 ESPN, 10 a.m.

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Role players were critical for Denver. After a dust-up with Morris in the second quarter that Malone said invigorated the Nuggets, Paul Millsap came to life. Michael Porter Jr.’s clutch 3-pointer and block in the final two minutes preserved the victory.

The Clippers struggled Friday to alleviate pressure off stars Kawhi Leonard (36 points) and Paul George (26 points).

After scoring a leaguehigh 50.3 points per game during the regular season, the Clippers’ bench has averaged 19 fewer points in this series.

The drop-off in production from star reserves Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell continues to play a significant role.

During the regular season, Williams and Harrell became the first duo since 1971, when the NBA began designating starters, to each average at least 17 points per game off the bench. In the playoffs, Williams is averaging 13.2 points on 22 percent 3-point shooting. Harrell is averaging 10.1 points and three rebounds while the infusion of energy that is his trademark hasn’t translated to stops defensively.

Of the 38 shots Harrell has defended in this series, Denver has made 22 of them. Denver center Nikola Jokic has shot 71 percent — 10 of 14, including 3 of 3 in Game 5 — when defended by the 6foot-7 Harrell. Because Rivers has already extended the minutes he typically plays 7foot starting center Ivica Zubac, who has held Jokic to 46 percent shooting (23 of 49), a stopgap measure when Zubac sits could be matching up Jokic more often against Jamychal Green.