Nuggets vs. Clippers NBA Playoffs Preview, Picks

In maybe probably the most compelling first-round matchup of all within the 2025 NBA playoffs, the No. 4 Denver Nuggets and No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers will battle it out in a best-of-seven sequence which kicks off on Saturday, April 19 at Ball Area at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Take a look at Odds Shark’s preview for this highly-anticipated Western Convention showdown, full with betting odds, matchup histories, and last predictions. 

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Sequence Winner Odds

Odds courtesy of FanDuel; Correct as of April 15, 2025

As of writing, and never figuring out the betting odds of the opposite two matchups in every convention with the play-in match ongoing, the Nuggets are presently the one staff possessing home-court benefit to be listed as an underdog. In equity, each Denver and Los Angeles completed with similar 50-32 data throughout the common season, with the previous eking out the fourth seed because of having a higher document in opposition to West opponents for the reason that 2-2 season cut up was rendered moot. 

The Nuggets and Sacramento Kings had been the one groups to rank with a top-10 offense however bottom-third protection, whereas the Clippers got here again from the All-Star break to shut out the marketing campaign with a fourth-best offense (119.7 factors per 100 possessions) over their final 28 video games.

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Sequence Schedule

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Unfold/Complete Betting Historical past

Los Angeles was considered one of simply six groups to complete with a document worse than .500 within the OVER/UNDER market at 39-41-2, whereas Denver was third general at 49-33. That success basically flipped because it pertains to masking the unfold, because the Clippers had been 47-35 ATS in comparison with the Nuggets who had been 38-43-1. 

A 109-104 win on Oct. 26 was the primary time Los Angeles had prevailed within the Mile Excessive Metropolis since Christmas Day 2020.

(Associated) 2025 NBA Playoff Series Prices

Denver Nuggets Participant To Watch: Russell Westbrook

Whether or not honest or not, Russell Westbrook’s title has been tossed round as of late as maybe enjoying an element within the unceremonious firing of now former head coach Michael Malone. Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne, tensions could have arisen from Malone inserting the previous league Most Useful Participant into the beginning lineup earlier within the season as Christian Braun acquired despatched to the bench, although the mixture of Westbrook and Nikola Jokic had confirmed to be barely higher in internet score (+11.4) over Braun and Jokic on the time (+11.3). 

Of the six main scorers on the Nuggets, Westbrook completed with the one detrimental plus-minus score of the group at -0.3. The staff allowed 4.9 fewer factors per 100 possessions each time the veteran guard sat, as effectively, though Westbrook has by no means been often known as a defensive menace and has lengthy made a reputation for himself as an athletic triple-double machine. 

The leash could also be a smidge shorter for Westbrook on this sequence due to his defensive limitations. He additionally shot under 40 % from the sphere over his final 15 outings and averaged 3.9 turnovers, so except he is filling up the field rating and never giving up the rock, even with Denver needing his depth, the 36-year-old might have to sit down greater than he is accustomed to. 

Los Angeles Clippers Participant To Watch: Ivica Zubac

Nobody can really include Jokic. If he desires to flip the swap into god mode and put up an historic triple-double on a whim, he can completely try this. Los Angeles at the least has somebody large and robust sufficient defensively to attempt to impede his progress, and he is undoubtedly a top-three inside defender throughout the league within the 7-foot Ivica Zubac.

He completed second general in defensive win shares (4.7), third in defensive score (107.8), and fifth in complete rebound share (21.8) for a protection which rallied to complete third general at 109.4 factors allowed per 100 possessions. It is these numbers which vaulted Zubac into severe consideration for Defensive Participant of the Yr accolades in what was a profession yr for him.

Averaging a double-double of 16.8 factors and 12.6 rebounds on 62.8 % capturing is spectacular regardless of which angle you view it at. It will not strike terror within the fearless Jokic, thoughts you, however once they begin banging down low and the video games get bodily, the perfect on the earth may find yourself dreading the truth that Denver did not find yourself pairing off with a smaller lineup just like the Los Angeles Lakers, for instance.

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Sequence Prediction Outcome: Sequence Goes Distance, Dwelling Staff Wins Every Sport (+1800)

The aforementioned reality regarding the Clippers’ lack of victories in Denver over the previous a number of years ought to make anybody imagine that stealing a sport on the street shall be tough. 

This matchup has the vibe of 1 which can want seven video games, and if that is certainly true, it is at all times sensible to A) lean in direction of the staff with home-court benefit in a do-or-die Sport 7, and B) decide the staff with the perfect participant, that being Jokic. That is even considering the clear-cut teaching benefit Los Angeles has with Tyronn Lue on the sidelines, whereas who is aware of how David Adelman will fare beneath such stress.

The perpetually injured Kawhi Leonard has confirmed he can keep wholesome (knock on wooden), and he enters this sequence trying like the person who lifted the Toronto Raptors to a championship in 2019. He hasn’t scored fewer than 20 factors in a sport since March 9, has averaged a wholesome 35.5 minutes over his final 15 video games, and is flattening pictures at a excessive fee (55.2 % from the sphere and 49.2 % from 3-point vary over that span).

This wager, nevertheless, insinuates that the Nuggets will nonetheless prevail in the long run. Whereas the Clippers seem to have extra assist round their famous person on paper, Denver’s supporting forged cannot be underestimated. Whereas having by no means been an All-Star, Jamal Murray persistently exhibits out within the postseason with a status which precedes him, and Aaron Gordon might be an element defensively in “making an attempt” to hinder Leonard, which is less complicated mentioned than achieved. 

This sequence going lower than seven video games can be shocking, and betting on the house staff to win every time is each enjoyable and intensely worthwhile at 18-to-1 odds. It is definitely worth the threat.