The LA Clippers are set to take on the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Ball Arena in Denver, with tip-off scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Currently, the Clippers hold a record of 22-24 while the Nuggets stand at a strong 32-16. This matchup is intriguing as both teams are in different phases of their seasons, with the Nuggets leading the season series 1-0 after their previous victory on November 12.
The Clippers enter this game riding a hot streak, having won three consecutive games and nine of their last ten. Their most recent win came against the Utah Jazz, where they secured a 115-103 victory as 8.5-point favorites. Notably, the game saw the Clippers dominate the third quarter, outscoring the Jazz 36-20. In contrast, the Nuggets are coming off a narrow win over the Brooklyn Nets, finishing with a score of 107-103 while heavily relying on guard Jamal Murray, who scored 27 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr., who contributed 25 points off the bench.
In terms of injuries, both teams are managing key player absences. The Clippers will be missing guard Bradley Beal and Bogdan Bogdanovic, along with Derrick Jones Jr., while Kawhi Leonard’s status remains questionable. The Nuggets continue to be without their star center Nikola Jokic, who is nursing a knee injury alongside other injured players like Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon.
Current betting odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook indicate that the Clippers are favored with a moneyline at -225, while the Nuggets are the underdogs at +185. The spread sits at Clippers -6.5, and the over/under for the game is set at 209.5.
In predictions, insight suggests that while the Clippers are enjoying impressive momentum, the Nuggets, despite their recent struggles at home, may capitalize on their underdog status and pull off the upset. Bettors are advised to consider the value in betting on the Nuggets given their performance against the spread historically when in similar situations.
Given that both teams have shown the ability to reach high point totals in recent games, the over on the total points at 209.5 presents an attractive opportunity for bettors, aligning with the offensive output demonstrated by both squads.
With the excitement of NBA action resuming after the All-Star break, fans can look forward to a competitive matchup as both teams aim to secure a crucial win in the Western Conference standings.