It’s a potent offense against a stingy defense Sunday night in Los Angeles, as the Clippers host the Denver Nuggets.
Denver, looking to string together back-to-back wins for the first time in eight games, is pegged as a slight 2.5-point favorite in the NBA odds.
Even with the Clippers’ seven straight wins at Intuit Dome, my Nuggets vs Clippers prediction and NBA picks explain why some notable injuries will do in L.A. at home.
Nuggets vs Clippers prediction
My best bet
Nuggets -2.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Denver Nuggets last played Wednesday, dispatching the Utah Jazz 122-103, getting them to 10-7 in the cutthroat Western Conference, where the third seed and the 10th seed are separated by just two in the loss column.
Denver is looking for consistency, though, as they’ve yo-yo’d between wins and losses over the last six, and most have been wild swings in either direction: the Nuggets have been blown out twice, and have won by at least 12 points in three others.
The Nuggets are among the elite offensive teams in the NBA, tied for fifth in scoring at 117.8 points per game, while shooting ninth from the field (48.0%) and fourth from 3-point range (38.9%).
Unfortunately, they need to outscore their problems, as Denver is 24th in points allowed at 115.8 per game, with teams shooting a crisp 46.9% against them.
It’s the opposite problem for Ty Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers, who enter Sunday allowing just 106.3 points per game, the fourth-best mark in the association.
That includes holding teams to 45.3% shooting from the field (7th) and 33.9% from distance (9th). They’ve held teams to under 100 points in six of the last seven games.
However, scoring is their nemesis, which showed in last game’s 93-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Clippers are posting just 108.5 points per contest, which ranks a lowly 24th, and they’ve scored 105 points or less in five of their last seven games.
Some of this is self-inflicted too: LA is turning it over nearly 17 times a game, a Bottom-4 mark in the league, and teams are ripping them for almost 20 points for those giveaways.
This is not the right opponent to play loose with the ball, as Denver is third in the league in points off turnovers at 20.9 per game, while also leading the league in fast break points at 19.2.
LA was able to keep the first matchup to its pace, taking a 109-104 decision on Oct 26. But they’re a little too dinged up on Sunday.
Leading scorer Norman Powell (hamstring) is questionable, and will still be compromised if he does go, while guard Kevin Porter (ankle) has already been ruled out. Kawhi Leonard (knee) has yet to play a game this season.
LA’s 3-game win streak in this head-to-head looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.
Nuggets vs Clippers same-game parlay
Nuggets -2.5
Jokic Over 1.5 threes
Zubac Over 11.5 rebounds
We’re turning to the big men to round out our same-game parlay.
On top of averaging a triple-double so far this season, perhaps the most shocking stat is that 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic currently leads the league in 3-point shooting at a deft 53.4%.
Not exactly sure what the books have in mind here, as they’ve set his total at a makeable 1.5.
Jokic has hit at least two triples in five straight games, and seven in 10 November games so far.
The last time he played the Clips, he went bonkers from deep, hitting 7-for-12 from beyond the arc, the most 3-point makes he’s had in a game this season.
We’ve got Ivica Zubac at a more conventional big-man stat: rebounding. Zubac has grabbed double-digit boards in nine straight games and has topped the 11.5 rebound line given for Sunday six out of the last seven.
He held his own on the boards the last time he faced Denver, pulling down 15 boards.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Nuggets vs Clippers odds
Nuggets vs Clippers live odds
Nuggets vs Clippers opening odds
- Spread: Denver -2.5| Los Angeles +2.5
- Moneyline: Denver -150 | Los Angeles +125
- Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 222.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nuggets vs Clippers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Clippers are 4-0-1 against the spread in the last five games vs Denver.
- Denver has covered its last three games on the road.
- The Under has gone 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings between these teams.
- LA has cashed an Under ticket in six of its last eight games.
Nuggets vs Clippers trend
The Under has cashed in LA’s last six home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Clippers.
How to watch Nuggets vs Clippers
| Location: | Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, 12-1-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Altitude, FanDuel Sports Network |
Nuggets vs Clippers latest injuries
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