Denver Nuggets (10-7) vs. LA Clippers (12-9)
December 1, 2024 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: LA Clippers +1.5; Over/Under: +223
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Denver Nuggets at the Intuit Dome on Sunday night. Here’s a LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction. This article will include an LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been in decent form as they’ve won three of their past five games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after routing the Jazz in a 122-103 road win on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, Jamal Murray added 22 points with eight assists and four steals while Michael Porter Jr chipped in with 19 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
As a team, the Nuggets shot 54 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they dominated the second quarter by 29-18 to take a 10-point lead into halftime before they exploded for 37 points in the third quarter or put the game to bed early.
Los Angeles Clippers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have been on a great run as they have won six of their last eight games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after falling painfully short to the Timberwolves in a 93-92 road defeat on Friday. James Harden led the team with 20 points, 11 assists, and five steals, Kevin Porter Jr added 17 points off the bench while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
As a team, the Clippers shot 42 percent from the field and 10 of 31 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to claw their way back from an early 11-point deficit, only to go ice-cold and score just two points in the final 4:09 to allow the Timberwolves off the hook in the end. The Clippers will face the Trail Blazers following this one.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won seven of their last eight road games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Clippers have lost five of their last six night games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the Nuggets’ last five games.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as underdogs following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Clippers’ last six home games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Nine of the Nuggets’ last 10 games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Ivica Zubac ranks 3rd in the league for points in the paint (290) this season.
- James Harden ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assists per game (8.8) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (13.1) this season.
- Michael Porter Jr. ranks 7th amongst qualified Forwards for three-pointers made Per Game (2.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (25.8).
- The Clippers rank 2nd in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (9.4).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (25.2).
- The Nuggets rank 1st for fast break points per game (19.2) this season.
LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets are still shorthanded with Aaron Gordon still out, while the Clippers have ruled out Kawhi Leonard and they have Norman Powell listed as questionable for this one. The Nuggets come in as the more settled them as they’ve been relatively healthy, but the Clippers are certainly capable of pulling off the minor upset at home. This should be a close one and you could make an argument for either side, but I feel slightly better about the Nuggets who have been the more consistent team this season.
