Denver Nuggets (50-32) vs LA Clippers (50-32)
Game Info: Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 3:30 pm (Ball Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Denver Nuggets -2.5 — Over/Under: 223.5
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers are coming into the playoffs with plenty of confidence, as they finished the regular season strong, winning their last eight games and 18 of their last 21 games to finish with a 50-32 overall record. James Harden has been rock solid for the Clippers all season with averages of 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. Norman Powell averaged 21.8 points per game despite missing 22 games, Ivica Zubac averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, while Kawhi Leonard missed more than half the season but still averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. As a team, the Clippers scored 112.9 points per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from the 3-point line.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets stumbled their way into the playoffs as they lost seven of their last 13 games to finish with a 50-32 record on the season. Nikola Jokic had himself an MVP calibre season with averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Jamal Murray averaged 21.4 points and 6.0 assists per game, Michael Porter Jr averaged 18.2 points, while Christian Braun had a great season with averages of 15.4 points per game. As a team, the Nuggets scored 120.8 points per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from the 3-point line. These are all elite numbers, but now they have to learn to play under new head coach David Adelman heading into the business end of the season.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last seven Western Conference First Round home games.
- The Clippers have lost 12 of their last 13 games at Ball Arena against Nuggets teams that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last five games against the Clippers at Ball Arena following a win.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven playoff games following a win.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have lost three of their last four games as home favorites.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last five games as underdogs.
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 Prediction
Both teams are coming into this matchup with healthy rosters, but it is the Clippers who hold the edge in terms of continuity, as they didn’t fire their coach just before the playoffs like the Nuggets did. These teams met four times in the regular season, with each team winning both their home games, so that could be an indication of what type of series we are in for. All the momentum seems to be the with the Clippers in this one, but I think the Nuggets start strong and get the first win of the series behind a big game from Jokic in Game 1.