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The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Denver Nuggets in a matchup of potential playoff teams. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Nuggets prediction and pick.
These teams have had somewhat similar seasons. The Clippers were expected to make the playoffs easily in a hotly contested Western Conference, but they've been plagued by injury and mediocre play. Despite those factors, Los Angeles has managed to earn a 36-37 record and the eighth seed in the West. The Nuggets have has similar injury struggles to the Clippers, but they've managed to power through them for a 42-30 record, which is good for the sixth seed. This is an important game for both sides, so let's cut to the chase and get into the pick.
Here are the Clippers-Nuggets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Nuggets Odds
Los Angeles Clippers: +6.5 (-110)
Denver Nuggets: -6.5 (-110)
Over: 222 (-110)
Under: 222 (-110)
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Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
As always, the Clippers will rely on their defense to get things done here. Los Angeles has been one of the toughest defensive units in the NBA, allowing only 107 points per game to their opponents. The Clippers also hold opposing teams to a 44% shooting percentage, while allowing low shooting efficiency and effective field goal numbers. That should help slow down a Denver offense that shoots at some of the highest clips in the league. In four of their last five games that ended in regulation, the Clippers held their opponents to 112 points or less. That pattern has a chance to continue here.
Surprisingly, the Clippers have been better than the Nuggets at covering the spread. Denver is only 33-39 against the spread, with a disappointing 19-25 record ATS when they enter the game as favorites. The Nuggets have also struggled to cover on their home court, earning a 12-23 record against the spread at home. This is a pretty solid spot to pick the Clippers to cover on the road.
Why The Nuggets Could Cover The Spread
The Denver defense should also hold up pretty well in this one, but not because they're a great defensive unit. The Clippers have been absolutely abysmal on offense all season long, scoring only 106 points per game on the year. Los Angeles also only shoots 45% from the field on shooting efficiency numbers that rank inside the bottom ten in the NBA. This is a downright bad Clippers offense that even the Nuggets should be able to handle.
These teams have played twice this season, with each side winning a contest. The last time they played, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic proved himself to be nearly unstoppable by anyone on the Clippers. Jokic put together an insane 49-point triple-double in a 130-128 victory. In the other game between these teams, Jokic had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in a two-point loss. The Jokic x-factor is real, and it should come through again in this matchup. There's a reason the star center is one of the top MVP contenders this season.
Final Clippers-Nuggets Prediction & Pick
This spread is too big to justify a pick on the Nuggets. Both of the games these teams have played have been decided by two points, and the Nuggets have been terrible at home. Lock in the Clippers to cover.
Final Clippers-Nuggets Pick: Los Angeles Clippers: +6.5 (-110)
