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by Erik Gibbs in NBA Picks
The 5th-seeded Los Angeles Clippers head to Ball Arena on Saturday afternoon to open their first-round Western Conference playoff series against the 4th-seeded Denver Nuggets. Both teams finished the regular season with identical 50-32 records, but Denver secured home-court advantage by winning the tiebreaker.
The Clippers enter the postseason on a hot streak, riding an eight-game win streak to close out the regular season. Despite the offseason departure of Paul George, Los Angeles exceeded expectations behind a veteran core featuring Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Offensively, the team was middle-of-the-pack, finishing 20th in the league in scoring, but they leaned on efficiency and defensive intensity to secure wins down the stretch.
Denver, meanwhile, made headlines late in the season by firing head coach Michael Malone with only nine games left—an aggressive move aimed at shaking up a roster that has underachieved since their 2023 title run. The Nuggets closed the season with three consecutive wins, regaining momentum just in time for the postseason.
The regular-season series between these two teams was split 2-2. The Clippers took the first two matchups, but the Nuggets responded by winning the final two, which could provide a psychological edge heading into Game 1.
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LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Form
LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets Latest Matches
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LA Clippers against Denver Nuggets : Head to Head (H2H)
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LA Clippers - Denver Nuggets Key Points
- The Nuggets are 38-44 ATS this season in games with a set spread
- The Clippers are 46-34-2 ATS this year
- The Over has hit in 49 Nuggets games this season
- The Nuggets are 20-20-1 ATS on the road and 18-23 ATS at home this season
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Our LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The key matchup in this series centers on Denver’s ability to get production beyond MVP contender Nikola Jokic. Jokic has once again put together an elite season, but questions remain about the support around him. Jamal Murray has yet to recapture his playoff form from a year ago but could thrive against James Harden, whose defense has been suspect. Harden, despite averaging over 22 points per game, has struggled with efficiency and postseason consistency.
Kawhi Leonard is the X-factor for the Clippers. Limited to just 37 games this season and under minute restrictions until recently, Leonard’s two-way presence will be critical. Aaron Gordon is likely to draw the assignment of guarding him, while Michael Porter Jr. can stretch the floor and force Leonard to defend outside his comfort zone.
Ivica Zubac’s rebounding could also be neutralized by Jokic’s ability to play away from the paint, pulling the Clippers’ big man out of position and opening space for Denver’s cutters.
Game 1 is expected to be competitive, but with home-court energy and urgency on their side, the Nuggets have the early edge and are positioned to set the tone for the series. Our prediction for Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers: Nuggets to win and cover.
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All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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