Norman Powell scores 37 points in the Clippers' win over the Nuggets

The Clippers' influence on the game began to wane in the second quarter, eventually forcing them to close the gap on the Denver Nuggets.

The Clippers pulled out a 109-104 win over Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets at Ball Arena on Saturday afternoon behind a career night from Norman Powell and some free throws from James Harden.

Powell was outstanding with 37 points on 14-for-21 shooting from the field, including seven of 11 from three-point range.

“I just focused on what the next play was, what the next read was and really just staying in the moment,” said Powell, who scored a career-high 22 points in the fourth quarter. “I don’t think about how many goals I score or what happens, missed shots, made shots, good games, bad games.”

Harden had 23 points and 16 assists. His two free throws with 30.5 seconds left gave the Clippers a 105-103 lead.

Then, after Jokic, who had 41 points, made just one of two free throws with 19.7 seconds left, Harden came through for the Clippers.

His two free throws with 14.3 seconds left gave the Clippers a 107-104 lead.

After Jokic missed a three-pointer, it seemed only fitting that Powell secured the game for the Clippers.

He grabbed the defensive rebound, was fouled and made two free throws for the final score, giving the Clippers their first win of the young season.

“I think that will be one of the things this season, just being more aggressive on offense,” said Ivica Zubac, who had 24 points and 15 rebounds. “We need it, especially now with Kawhi (Leonard) out.”

For a while, it seemed as if Powell was having his own one-on-one duel with Jokic, the Clippers guard who at times matched the Nuggets' All-Star center basket for basket.

Powell had 20 points in the fourth game, which tied a career high in the regular season.

The Clippers' defense was shaky for much of the first half, which in turn allowed them to gain momentum and build a 42-24 lead.

Then the Nuggets got hot and the Clippers defense wasn't quite the same, so Denver got back into the game.

At the end of the first half it was a game again, the Clippers had a six-point lead.

Still, the Clippers were strong on defense, holding the Nuggets to 29.8% shooting in the first half.

Sign up for the LA Times SoCal high school sports newsletter for scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.