Denver Nuggets (50-32) vs LA Clippers (50-32)
Game Info: Monday, April 21, 2025 at 10:00 pm (Ball Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Denver Nuggets +1 — Over/Under: 217
The LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets meet Monday in the NBA playoffs Game 2 at the Ball Arena. Here’s a LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Pick.
LA Clippers Betting Preview
The LA Clippers have to feel like they let one get away in game 1, and they hope to even things up at 1-1. The Clippers haven’t lost two straight games since March 2-4.
The LA Clippers are averaging 110 points on 50 percent shooting and allowing 112 points on 43.6 percent shooting. James Harden is averaging 32 points and 6 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard is averaging 22 points and 6 rebounds. Ivica Zubac is the third double-digit scorer, and Norman Powell is grabbing 3 rebounds. The LA Clippers are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 75 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Clippers are allowing 33.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44 rebounds per game.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets have a chance to take a 2-0 series lead after stealing game 1 in overtime. The Nuggets have won four straight games overall and are 6-1 SU in overtime this season.
The Denver Nuggets are averaging 112 points on 43.6 percent shooting and allowing 110 points on 50 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 29 points and 9 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon is averaging 25 points and 8 rebounds. Jamal Murray is the third double-digit scorer, and Russell Westbrook is grabbing 8 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 36.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45 rebounds per game.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight Western Conference First Round home games.
- The Clippers have lost each of their last seven Game 2s of a playoff series.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the Nuggets’ last eight Western Conference First Round games.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four night games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last nine games as favorites.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last three games after coming off overtime.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games at Ball Arena against teams that held a winning record.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against teams that held a winning record.
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.
- Nicolas Batum ranks 2nd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (43.3%) 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
There’s value in getting a free bucket with the Nuggets at home where they’re a tough out. The Nuggets also have the best player in the world so you can always make a case for them in spots like this. However, I liked the Clippers entering this series and still like them. The Clippers are the better coached, deeper team, and they had game 1, but had issues closing quarters.
The Clippers have to feel like they let one get away and while it’s tough to win the series when losing games you shouldn’t, this is an experienced team that shouldn’t allow losses to linger. There’s 11 players on this Clippers roster that are 28 years old or older. I’d expect the Clippers to realize what happened, clean things up, and steal home court. I’ll side with the Clippers.