Denver Nuggets (50-32) vs LA Clippers (50-32)
Game Info: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 10:00 pm (Ball Arena)
Betting Odds: Denver Nuggets +1.5 -- Over/Under: 208.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: TNT
The Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets are set to clash in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET at Ball Arena in Denver. The series is currently tied 2-2, following a dramatic Game 4 where Aaron Gordon's buzzer-beating dunk secured a 101-99 victory for the Nuggets.
In Game 4, Nikola Jokić delivered a standout performance with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 8 assists, leading Denver to rebound from a 34-point loss in Game 3. Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun each contributed 17 points. Despite trailing by 22 points early in the fourth quarter, the Clippers mounted a significant comeback, highlighted by Ivica Zubac's tip-in that tied the game with eight seconds remaining. However, Gordon's last-second dunk, confirmed after review, sealed the win for Denver.
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Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 Rebounds
Jokic is averaging 12.7 rebounds per game, ranking third in the league. His rebounding was evenly distributed, with 2.9 offensive and 9.9 defensive rebounds per game. In total, Jokić amassed 892 rebounds for the season, placing him fourth in the NBA in total rebounds. Jokic is coming off a game where he secured 21 rebounds, and the game before that, he secured 13. He’s been a menace on the boards and is playing with a different level of intensity. If the Nuggets want to win this series, he’ll need to continue this output.
James Harden Over 9.5 Assists
James Harden is averaging 8.7 assists per game, ranking fifth in the NBA for assists per game. This performance marked his continued excellence in facilitating offense, contributing to the Clippers' overall success. In addition to his playmaking, Harden averaged 22.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while playing 35.3 minutes per contest. Harden recorded 11 assists in the last game of this series. We saw him record 10+ assists in 7 of his last 10 games. The Nuggets gave up the most assists per game to opposing teams in the regular season. I expect another strong night from Harden facilitating the ball.
Michael Porter Jr Over 12.5 Points
Porter is averaging 18.2 points per game, ranking 46th in the league. He also contributed 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting 50.4% from the field, 39.5% from three-point range, and 76.8% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage stood at an efficient 61.7%. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting and contribute on the boards made him a valuable asset to the Nuggets' offense. It was a slow start for Porter in this series, but we’ve seen him consistently play better as the series has gone on. He’s coming off a game where he dropped 17 points, and he has the skill set to clear this number with ease.
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AUTHOR: Brad Francis
