Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers needed to defend home court to force a series decider, and they did just that with a 111-105 win over the Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday. James Harden led the team with 28 points and eight assists, Kawhi Leonard added 27 points with 10 rebounds and five assists, while Norman Powell chipped in with 24 points on nine of 15 shooting.
As a team, the Clippers shot 50 percent from the field and 12 of 39 from the 3-point line as they traded shots with the Nuggets in a tightly contested first half. Before they went on a pivotal 12-0 run early in the third quarter to take a 15-point lead, which was just enough to hold off a late charge from the Nuggets. Nicolas Batum was a real spark plug for the Clippers off the bench, and he had his fingers all over this game to finish with six points, six assists, two steals and three blocks in 34 minutes of action.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets had all the momentum in the series, but it’s now down to one game at home after falling short to the Clippers on Thursday. Nikola Jokic continued his terrific form with 25 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals, Jamal Murray added 21 points with eight rebounds and eight assists while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 19 points on nine of 16 shooting.
As a team, the Nuggets shot 52 percent from the field and 11 of 27 from the 3-point line, which are solid numbers that had them in the contest, until the third quarter where they allowed the Clippers to start to pull away. Russell Westbrook produced 14 points with 10 rebounds and six assists off the bench, but they needed more from Michael Porter Jr, who finished with just five points on two of five shooting.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Clippers have lost each of their last eight games at Ball Arena following a home win.
- The Nuggets have won 11 of their last 12 playoff home games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games at Ball Arena following a home win.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in 15 of their last 20 games at Ball Arena against Clippers teams that held a winning record.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won 12 of their last 13 night games.
- The Nuggets have lost four of their last six playoff games as home favorites.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as favorites following a road loss.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic is the only qualified player in the league averaging at least 25.0 points, 10.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds this season.
- Christian Braun ranks 1st in the league for fast break points (403) this season.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Ivica Zubac ranks T2nd in the league for second chance points (299) this season.
- Kris Dunn ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.6) this season.
Nuggets vs Clippers Prediction
Jokic has been rock solid for the Nuggets in this series with averages of 25.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 10.5 assists per game, but this game really comes down to how much help he gets home his teammates. The Clippers were able to get a combined 79 points from Harden, Leonard, and Powell on Thursday, so the Nuggets will be in trouble unless their role players like Braun and Porter Jr step up.
The Nuggets have home-court advantage, which is why they are slight favorites in this spot, but the Clippers have already beaten the Nuggets twice in three games at the Ball Arena in this series. I think they seal the deal with a minor upset on the road in this one. You can make an argument for either side, but I think the Nuggets’ decision to fire their head coach finally catches up to them when the stakes are highest. Give me the Clippers to book their ticket to the second round with a gritty win on the road.