by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2025
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, April 19, 2025
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Clippers +3, Nuggets -3; Over/Under: 224.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Clippers +2.5, Nuggets -2.5; Over/Under: 224.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Clippers +2.5, Nuggets -2.5; Over/Under: 224.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Clippers: 50-32 (2nd place, Pacific Division)
Denver Nuggets: 50-32 (2nd place, Northwest Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Clippers: 9-1 last 10
Denver Nuggets: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Preview and Analysis
The Clippers are entering the playoffs with a 50-32 record overall this season and they were 20-21 in their road games where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on an 8 game winning streak with wins coming against the Orlando Magic, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Dallas Mavericks twice in a row, the San Antonio Spurs, the Houston Rockets, the Sacramento Kings, and the Golden State Warriors. James Harden led the team in points in that game with 39 while Kawhi Leonard was next on the team with 33 points. James Harden led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Ivica Zubac led the team in rebounds with 17. They were 55.8% from the field, 46.7% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 112.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 108.2 PPG against them. The Clippers have an ATS record of 47-35 this season and their O/U record is 39-41-2.
The Nuggets are entering the playoffs with a 50-32 record overall this season and they were 26-15 in their home games where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game winning streak with wins coming against the Sacramento Kings, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Houston Rockets. Michael Porter Jr. led the team in points in that game with 19 while Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokić each were next on the team with 18 points. Nikola Jokić led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Nikola Jokić, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Jamal Murray each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 51.1% from the field, 34.5% from 3-point range, and 83.9% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.9 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 38-43-1 this season and their O/U record is 49-33.
Clippers vs Nuggets Prediction
The current betting odds have the Nuggets listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 1 of a 7 game series between the 4th seeded Nuggets and the 5th seeded Clippers from the Western Conference for the 1st round of the NBA playoffs. The Nuggets have looked really good in their games this season with their 50-32 record overall and they have looked really good on their home court too with their 26-15 home record. Meanwhile, the Clippers have looked really good in their games this season with their 50-32 record overall, but they haven't been a great road team with their 20-21 road record. The Clippers have looked great lately and are by far one of the hottest teams coming into the playoffs. They are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have a ton of momentum on their side with 8 wins in a row now, but they have struggled a lot on the road this season and this isn't going to be an easy series for them. The Nuggets have been great at home all year and they have a really nice home advantage with the altitude coming into play. The Nuggets are only 5-5 in their last 10 games, but they have looked a lot better lately with 3 wins in a row now. The Clippers have been rolling lately, but they always seem to fall flat in the playoffs and the Nuggets still have their championship DNA to lean on in this series. The Nuggets haven't been at their best over the last month, but they have looked a lot better since firing their head coach Malone and that could be the kick they needed to go on a run in the playoffs. The best way to place a bet here is on the Nuggets to cover the spread in this game.
Clippers Nuggets Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Saturday, April 19, 2025 (3:30 pm ET start time) is Nuggets 124 Clippers 119.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Clippers: 21-33 ATS in a road game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 5-12 ATS off an upset win as a road underdog. 7-13 ATS revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 20 points or more. 14-6 OVER revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 20 points or more. 24-17 OVER revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a favorite.
Denver Nuggets: 9-5 ATS at home versus teams who average 9 or more steals/game on the season. 7-4 ATS at home when playing with 3 or more days rest. 5-1 1H ATS in the 1st game of a playoff series. 20-11 OVER versus teams who average 9 or more steals/game on the season. 21-13 1H OVER after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Clippers: N. Batum (PF) Day To Day - Ankle. P. Mills (PG) Day To Day - Illness.
Denver Nuggets: D. Holmes II (PF) Out For Season - Achilles.
Notable Quotes
“I ain’t — quit saying ‘concerned’ all the time. I’m never concerned. It’s part of the game. They made some threes. We had a three to go up 12 with Kawhi’s shot. He missed it. They came back and made two threes. [They] cut it to three. You know, we missed a couple of free throws. And they’re a good team. They got good talent. So, this is a good win to come here on the road, to play this team who’s fighting for something, as well. And it was a huge win for us. So, I’m not concerned about anything.” - Tyronn Lue after his team’s win against the Warriors in their regular season finale on Sunday.
"It's really funny, people ask, 'Who would you wanna play in the first round? Nobody. The West is loaded. I mean, you think people wanna play Jokic? Whoever you're gonna get, it's gonna be a beast." - Dave Adelman on the playoff situation in the West.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Clippers
PG James Harden
SG Kris Dunn
SF Norman Powell
PF Kawhi Leonard
C Ivica Zubac
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Christian Braun
SF Michael Porter Jr.
PF Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Jokic
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Clippers
PPG: J. Harden (22.8)
APG: J. Harden (8.7)
Reb/G: I. Zubac (12.6)
Denver Nuggets
PPG: N. Jokić (29.6)
APG: N. Jokić (10.2)
Reb/G: N. Jokić (12.7)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Clippers: Tyronn Lue (5th season)
Denver Nuggets: David Adelman (Interim)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
