Nuggets vs. Clippers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

May 1, 2021

by Jonathan Willis
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

There is a real push for both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets to finish the season as one of the top three teams in the Western Conference. A half-game separates the Clippers from the Nuggets in the standings, and neither team wants to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

The Lakers are the likely No. 5 seed with Anthony Davis back in the lineup, and they will be favored over either team assuming LeBron James is healthy.

That adds an extra layer of importance to the final meeting between these two Western Conference contenders in the regular season.

Nuggets vs. Clippers Betting Resources

Matchup: Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Staples Center
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Nuggets vs. Clippers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Clippers -4.5
Money-Line: L.A. -190, Denver +160
Total: 223.5

The Clippers look to end a two-game slide on Saturday night as L.A. welcomes in Denver at Staples Center. (AP)

Nuggets vs. Clippers Current Form-Last Game

The Clippers have turned it on since mid-March. They are 17-5 over their last 22 games, and they won 11 of 12 games in one stretch earlier this month. The Clips have lost their last two games though, falling to New Orleans on Monday night and Phoenix on Wednesday night.

Paul George had a double-double in Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix, and the Clippers shot 51.2% from the field. The Suns were able to outrebound the Clippers and get additional chances though, leading to a 109-101 victory for Phoenix.

The Clips have split their two previous meetings with the Nuggets this season. Los Angeles bested Denver, 121-108 on Christmas with a healthy George and Kawhi Leonard, but the Nuggets picked up a 101-94 win in L.A. a month ago. Jamal Murray had 23 points in the win, as George struggled from the floor.

Denver has been hot too of late. The Nuggets were 17-15 in late February, but they have come alive from there as Nikola Jokic is looking like this season’s MVP.

The Nuggets are 25-6 over their last 31 games, and they have won 16 of their last 19 games since late March. Their lone losses were to Golden State (twice) and Boston during this run.

The Nuggets have won four in a row and eight of their last nine coming into this week. They haven’t exactly faced a murderer’s row during the current winning streak though with victories over Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, and Toronto in the Mile High City.

Their most recent win was on Thursday night against the Raptors. After staying neck and neck for the first three quarters, the Nuggets pulled away in the final frame.

Michael Porter Jr. was superb with 23 points and three blocks, but Jokic had just two assists as Toronto focused on keeping the ball out of the center’s hands.

Nuggets vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

Apr. 1, 2021 - Nuggets 101 at Clippers 94, Denver +2, Under 220
Dec. 25, 2020 - Clippers 121 at Nuggets 108, L.A. -3.5, Over 226.5

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Denver Nuggets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 42-21 SU, 30-33 ATS, 35-28 OU
Road: 18-11 SU, 15-14 ATS, 14-15 OU

Jokic has been superb with Murray out for the season with a knee injury. He has taken his game to another level to become the frontrunner to be named the NBA MVP.

The 7’0 center has revolutionized the position with his passing, and this offense runs through him. Jokic is averaging 26.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, and 8.6 APG while making 56.8% of his field goals and 41.4% of his threes.

Porter Jr. has picked up his play too. The forward is averaging 18.8 PPG and 7.6 RPG this season, showcasing the promise that made him a first-round pick although he barely took the court during his one year at Missouri.

Porter, Jr. is making 54.1% of his field goals and an incredible 44.1% of his threes on the year. He had an incredible April, averaging 23.9 PPG and 7.7 RPG while making 55.3% of his field goals.

With the loss of Murray and Monte Morris sidelined for the last two weeks due to injury, Denver’s backcourt play has taken a big hit. That led to the Nuggets signing Austin Rivers to a 10-day contract, and that deal was extended for the rest of the season after six games.

Rivers scored 11 points in 27 minutes for Denver on Thursday, and he will look to provide more off the bench on Saturday night.

L.A. Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 43-21 SU, 36-27-1 ATS, 33-30 OU
Home: 24-8 SU, 20-12 ATS, 17-14-1 OU

Leonard has only taken the court once over the last three weeks. He has been resting a foot injury that has been hampering him, but he might return given the importance of Saturday’s game.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP is averaging 25.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 5.1 APG while hitting 51.6% of his field goals and 39.3% of his threes.

In his absence, George has taken over. The criticism on him was a little too much after last year’s postseason, and we have seen him carry that with him to have the best season of his career.

George is averaging 23.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 5.3 APG this season, and he is making 47.5% of his field goals and 42.2% of his threes. He has exploded for at least 30 points in seven games in April.

The lack of a third scoring option is something that may hurt the Clippers in the playoffs. Lou Williams was disappointing before being dealt to Atlanta, and Montrezl Harrell left the team in the offseason.

Marcus Morris has provided a little something, but the Clippers are hoping that Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, Nic Batum, or Reggie Jackson will come alive.

The Clippers are the most efficient perimeter shooting team in the league. They are making an NBA best 41.6% of their threes on the season and 83.6% of their free throws.

Key Injuries

Denver Nuggets

SG Jamal Murray: Knee - Out
SG Will Barton: Hamstring - Out
PG Monte Morris: Hamstring - Out

L.A. Clippers

SF Kawhi Leonard: Foot - Questionable
C Serge Ibaka: Back - Out
PG Patrick Beverley: Hand - Out