The Denver Nuggets (35-20) and LA Clippers (26-28) meet Thursday at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Clippers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Nuggets lead 2-0, including 130-116 win in Los Angeles on Nov. 12 as a 4.5-point favorite with the Over (223.5) cashing. Denver won 122-109 at home as a 2.5-point underdog on Jan. 30 as the Over (219.5) cashed there, too.
Denver has won 5 of the past 6 meetings, going 5-0-1 against the spread (ATS). The push was the only Clippers straight up (SU) win in that span. The Over has connected in 5 consecutive meetings, too.
The Nuggets beat the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 122-116 on Feb. 11 in their final game prior to the break, but they failed to cover as 14.5-point favorites as the Under (239.5) cashed. C Nikola Jokic posted 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists, but also turned it over 9 times. G Jamal Murray finished with 23 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, and G Tim Hardaway Jr. added 21 points off the bench.
Denver is just 2-4 SU and ATS in the past 6 games, and the Under has cashed in the past 2 outings with 119.5 points per game (PPG) scored, and 117.5 PPG allowed. Prior to that, Denver was on a 7-game Over run from Jan. 27-Feb. 7.
The Clippers won 105-102 in Houston in the second end of a back-to-back on Feb. 11, covering as 8.5-point underdogs with the Under (212.5) connecting. F Kawhi Leonard went for 27 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in the win.
LA won 3 of its final 4 games prior to the break, covering the past 3 outings. The Under has also hit in 3 straight.
Nuggets at Clippers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Clippers +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Against the spread: Nuggets -4.5 (-105) | Clippers +4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Nuggets at Clippers key injuries
Nuggets
- G Tamar Bates (foot) out
- F Aaron Gordon (hamstring) out
- G Jalen Pickett (knee) probable
- F Peyton Watson (hamstring) out
Clippers
- G Bradley Beal (hip) out
- G Darius Garland (toe) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Clippers picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 119, Clippers 112
If you’re a bit on the conservative side and just want to back Denver straight up rather than fiddle around with the points, NUGGETS (-175) isn’t priced out of line.
The Clippers have won 3 of the past 4 games, but they also dealt James Harden to Cleveland just before the break and has yet to see its return it the deal, as Garland continues to sit.
The NUGGETS -4.5 (-105) are a good play if you’re a more orthodox bettor. While Denver is just 2-4 ATS in its past 6 games, the Nuggets have dominated this series of late, going 5-0-1 ATS in the past 6 meetings — including posting a 3-0-1 mark in the final 4 games of last season’s seven-game playoff series.
The OVER 226.5 (-105) is worth a look, but don’t get carried away.
For the Nuggets, the Under has cashed in their past 2 games, but the Over hit in 7 straight before that. However, the Under is also on a 3-0 run for L.A., while going 4-4 in the past 8 contests. The Over is 5-0 in the past 5 in this series, though, including the final 3 games of last spring’s playoff series. This season, Denver is averaging 126.0 PPG and the Clippers 112.5 PPG in their 2 meetings.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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