LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction 5/3/25 NBA Picks

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview 

The Denver Nuggets look to make the second round of the playoffs for a third straight season. The Nuggets have lost in the first round once in the last six years. The Nuggets have split their last 10 home games. 

The Denver Nuggets are averaging 105.7 points on 47.5 percent shooting and allowing 109.5 points on 48.8 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 25.3 points and 11.8 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 24 points and 5.3 rebounds. Aaron Gordon is the third double-digit scorer, and Russell Westbrook is grabbing 4.8 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc and 71.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.8 rebounds per game.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Clippers have lost each of their last eight night games at Ball Arena following a home win.
• The Nuggets have won nine of their last 10 Western Conference First Round home games.
• The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games at Ball Arena following a home win.
• The Nuggets have covered the spread in six of their last eight night games against the Clippers at Ball Arena.

Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win

• The Clippers have won nine of their last 10 night games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Nuggets have lost four of their last six games as home favorites.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as home favorites against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in 15 of the Nuggets' last 17 games at Ball Arena.

Denver Nuggets Player Facts

• Russell Westbrook is one of only two players to have recorded a triple-double off the bench this season.
• Jamal Murray ranks 11th amongst qualified players for FT% (88.6%) this season.

Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts

• James Harden ranks 2nd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for assists per game (8.7) this season.
• Norman Powell ranks 7th amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (4.2) this season.

LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Injury Report 

The Nuggets will be without DaRon Holmes II.

The Clippers don’t have any players listed on their injury report.

LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction

The Nuggets are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home where they’re always a tough out and the home team has won seven of the last nine meetings against the Clippers. Also, out of 151 game sevens, only 39 have been won by the home team. With all of that said, I came into this series thinking the Clippers were the better team and I can’t turn back now. The Clippers have the depth advantage and the coaching advantage. The Nuggets have no bench at all outside of Westbrook, and coach David Adelman is being thrown into the fire as an interim head coach. Tyronn Lue has won a title as a head coach and has 97 playoff games he can lean on in spots like this. Road game or not, I just trust the Clippers more. Give me the Clippers to advance.