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Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson sits out against L.A. Clippers

The anguish of missing one of the biggest games of the season subsided a bit after Ty Lawson watched the Denver Nuggets take down the Los Angeles Clippers.

Still bothered by a strained left Achilles' tendon, Denver's starting point guard sat out for the first time this season. An MRI is scheduled for Wednesday.

"I’ve been going like this for five or six games, so I want to make sure it’s right," said Lawson, who is averaging 13.6 points and a team-leading 6.9 assists. "My strength is speed and getting to the basket."

Veteran Andre Miller started in Lawson’s place and finished with 12 points and a season-high 12 assists to help Denver snap Los Angeles' 17-game win streak.

"He was killing it," Lawson said. "Vintage Andre."

Karl planned to use swingman Andre Iguodala defensively against Clippers All-Star point guard Chris Paul, but Miller effectively handled the assignment. Paul had 10 points and six assists.

"He (Miller) wanted him. He thought that would be a better matchup," Karl said. "Chris didn’t have a bad game, but he didn’t have that dominating game he can have.”

Miller, 36, played a season-high 41 minutes. Iguodala and forward Danilo Gallinari ran the offense when Miller was on the bench.

"He’s extremely efficient," Nuggets center JaVale McGee said. "He’s slow and steady but everything works out for him.”