LA Clippers (20-16) vs. Denver Nuggets (20-14)
January 8, 2025 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets +1.5; Over/Under: 225.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Clippers pay a visit to the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Wednesday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Clippers Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs Clippers Pick.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have cooled off a bit recently, as they’ve lost three of their past four games. The Clippers will be eager to bounce back after coming up just short to the Timberwolves in a 108-106 road defeat on Monday. Norman Powell led the team with 25 points, James Harden added 22 points with eight rebounds and eight assists while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 17 points with 16 rebounds. As a team, the Clippers shot just 41 percent from the field and 12 of 35 from the 3-point line. The Clippers played excellent defense to hold the Timberwolves to just 16 points in the first quarter and take a 19-point lead, but they never put the Timberwolves away. It cost them as they were always leading until late in the fourth quarter when the Timberwolves went on a pivotal 10-3 run to snatch the game at the end. The Clippers will play the Hornets, Heat, Nets, and Trail Blazers next.
Denver Nuggets
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in fine form, as they had won four of five games before losing by 118-106 to the Celtics last night. Russell Westbrook led the team with 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, Jamal Murray and Julian Strawther scored 19 points each while Michael Porter Jr chipped in with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 46 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they dominated the second quarter by 32-20 to overcome an early 12-point deficit. The Nuggets allowed 61 points in the second half to lose by double digits in the end. Nikola Jokic was a late scratching for the game as he is dealing with an illness that could keep him out once again.
Nuggets vs Clippers Prediction
The Clippers are coming into this one with a full squad, while the Nuggets are still currently missing Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets still have plenty of firepower to overcome the loss of their leader. They are now playing their second game of a back-to-back set against a Clippers team who are back to full health with Leonard back in the lineup. The Nuggets are more than capable of winning this one without Jokic, but I prefer a play on the Clippers to get the gritty road win in this one.
