"This is a week that could test the Clippers' resolve, demonstrating whether they are mentally and physically capable of playing five games in seven days and finding success.

On the first night of this harrowing march, on a day when Chauncey Billups returned home to face a Denver team that has traded him twice, the Clippers stood tall in pulling out a 109-105 victory Sunday night at the Pepsi Center.

They did so because Billups was outstanding in scoring a season-high 32 points, because Chris Paul had 13 of his 25 points and four of his seven assists in the fourth quarter, and because DeAndre Jordan made a clutch late-game free throw to go along with his 13 rebounds, five blocked shots and eight points."