Two Western Conference contenders meet in Mile High tonight as the Los Angeles Clippers look to snap a two-game losing streak when they travel to face the Denver Nuggets.
My Clippers vs. Nuggets predictions expect Los Angeles’ sharpshooting guard to score at will as the Clippers keep it close with Nikola Jokic & Co.
Read my NBA picks to see why you should take the Over on Norman Powell’s scoring prop for the December 13 matchup.
Clippers vs Nuggets prediction
My best bet
Norman Powell Over 20.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Norman Powell missed six straight games due to a hamstring injury, but he’s been money since returning to the Los Angeles Clippers' lineup. “Stormin’ Norman” has appeared in three of the last four games and averaged 25 points per game in that span.
Powell leads L.A. in scoring this season with a career-high 23.6 points. He’s shooting lights out from beyond the arc, knocking down 3.8 triples on 48.6% shooting. The Denver Nuggets have allowed the 11th-highest three-point percentage at home, and Powell hit 12 of 19 treys in two matchups against Denver this season.
In those two games against the Nuggets, Powell finished with 28 and 37 points, comfortably cashing the Over on this line. He’s scored at least 21 points in 12 of 18 games this season, good for 66.7% of his appearances. That includes three of six games on the road.
Given his uptick in the scoring department this season and Denver’s suspect perimeter defense, I would expect this line to be at least 22.5, and I would take the Over on it there as well. This is an easy call and my favorite play of the game.
Clippers vs Nuggets same-game parlay
Norman Powell Over 20.5 points
Clippers +6.5
Nikola Jokic triple-double
Denver has been one of the worst teams in the Association ATS at 8-13-1, and the Nuggets are just 3-6-1 at home. That’s the fourth-worst cover percentage at home. Conversely, the Clippers sport the second-best cover percentage on the road with a 7-3 ATS record outside of Intuit Dome. Los Angeles is a perfect 5-0 ATS as underdogs of 6.5 points or more this season. Denver is 3-1 straight up when favored by at least 5.5 points but 0-4 ATS in those contests. Los Angeles beat Denver once at home and once on the road this season, winning both games straight up as the underdog.
The Nuggets sport one of the most shallow rosters in the NBA, and the team is completely dependent on Nikola Jokic. Jokic has proven time and time again to be superhuman, but Los Angeles’ balanced attack should be enough to keep up with the Joker and keep this one close for a third straight meeting.
Jokic is the runaway favorite to win MVP once again thanks to incredible averages of 32.3 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. He’s on a heater having averaged 52/15/8 in two games over the weekend. Well-rested and back home after a three-game road trip, I expect Jokic to do some damage tonight.
He posted two monster games against the Clippers this season, including a 28/14/11 triple-double on the road. Jokic has posted a triple-double in nearly half of his games, doing it in nine of 19. He’s been even better at Ball Arena, reaching the statistical milestone in six of 10 at home.
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Clippers vs Nuggets odds
Clippers vs Nuggets live odds
Clippers vs Nuggets opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +17 (-110) | Denver -17 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +1000 | Denver -2000
- Over/Under: Over 232 (-110) | Under 232 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Clippers vs Nuggets spread and Over/Under analysis
- Los Angeles has failed to win or cover in two straight games bringing the team’s record to 14-11 straight up and 16-9 ATS.
- Denver is 2-3 straight up and 1-4 ATS across its last five, and the team has covered in just eight of 22 games.
- The Clippers have hit the Over in three of four, but the tea is 10-14-1 to the Under.
- The Nuggets have hit the Over in three straight, and the team is 15-7 to the Over this season.
Clippers vs Nuggets trend
Los Angeles has won two head-to-head matchups with Denver this season, doing so as an underdog in both. Both games were decided by four points. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Clippers vs Nuggets
| Location: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date: | Friday, 12-13-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FanDuel Sports Network, Altitude |
Clippers vs Nuggets latest injuries
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