While the Denver Nuggets are on the second night of a back-to-back, the Los Angeles Clippers are back to their default shorthanded state. As frustrating as the Nuggets’ season has been, Denver is still on pace to win 47 games, sitting fourth in the West.
My Clippers vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks trust the home underdog despite its rest disadvantage. Tip comes at 9 ET on Wednesday, January 8.
Clippers vs Nuggets prediction
My best bet
Nuggets +1.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Let’s wade through this convoluted matchup with some logic. This being a confusing meeting makes sense given the dueling nature of disappointing and encouraging that both fit both the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers’ seasons. They hardly look like contenders, yet they remain within contending range. Disappointing and encouraging.
Within the last week, both Denver and Los Angeles hosted Atlanta. The Nuggets were 8.5-point favorites, while the Clippers were 7-point favorites even with the Hawks on the second night of a back-to-back. Focus on that latter game.
It was Kawhi Leonard’s first game back from injury, going 4-of-11 for 12 points in 19 minutes of action. His return hardly impacted the spread, given the conservative nature of it.
If Atlanta had not been on the second night of a back-to-back, what would that spread have been? Something in the range of +5.5 or +6 would make sense. At that point, we have established Denver as three points better than Los Angeles on a neutral court. In Denver? Make that more than five points better.
Tonight the Nuggets have a rest disadvantage, losing to the Celtics last night with neither Aaron Gordon nor Nikola Jokic in the lineup. Nonetheless, only Jamal Murray exceeded 36 minutes and only Michael Porter Jr. also exceeded 34 minutes.
The rest disadvantage should absolutely cut into Denver’s edge against Los Angeles, but not to the tune of 6.5 or 7 points.
The spread is that far off the logical number because Jokic is only questionable tonight with illness. Again, he did not play last night, but now only questionable tonight. Meanwhile, Leonard has been ruled out due to personal reasons.
If Jokic is in, this spread should jump the fence of zero. If he is out, then the 6.5-point adjustment would make sense, but it could still be a bit hefty, given how few Nuggets were taxed last night.
Clippers vs Nuggets same-game parlay
Nuggets +1.5
Under 225.5 points
Nikola Jokic Over 8.5 assists
Betting this Under is a bet on altitude slowing Los Angeles while the tiring end of a back-to-back slows Denver. This game could become plodding. No one would appreciate that more than James Harden, after all.
Furthermore, the Nuggets’ last three games have all gone Under their totals, as have three of the Clippers’ last four games.
Adding in the Over on a Nikola Jokic assists prop is an intentionally cowardly decision. If Jokic is out, then this Under will have much more hope while his leg of this same-game parlay will simply void. For the record, the two-legged version currently pays +264 at bet365.
If Jokic plays, then moving the ball around will be a way for him to conserve his legs as he fights through whatever illness.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Clippers vs Nuggets odds
Clippers vs Nuggets live odds
Clippers vs Nuggets opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles -1.0 | Denver +1.0
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -115 | Denver -105
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Clippers vs Nuggets spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened late Tuesday night, after the Nuggets’ loss to the Celtics, with the Clippers favored by one. It climbed overnight, peaking briefly at -3 and settling at -2.5 by morning.
- When Leonard was ruled out, it dropped to -1.5, but it held steady amid Jokic’s upgrade to questionable.
- This total opened at 225.5 and quickly jumped as high as 228 overnight, but as Wednesday progressed, it regularly ticked downward to 225.
Clippers vs Nuggets trend
Denver is 6-1 against the spread on the second night of a back-to-back this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Clippers vs Nuggets
| Location: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date: | Wednesday, 1-8-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Altitude, FDSN SoCal |
Clippers vs Nuggets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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