Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets are now just one win away from advancing to the second round after running past the Clippers in a 131-115 home win in Game 5 on Tuesday. Jamal Murray led the team with 43 points and seven assists, Aaron Gordon added 23 points on seven of 11 shooting, Russell Westbrook scored 21 points off the bench while Nikola Jokic tallied a triple-double of 13 points with 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
As a team, the Nuggets shot a healthy 55 percent from the field and 17 of 33 from the 3-point line as they opened the game with a 17-6 run to take the lead into halftime. Before they opened the third quarter with a 15-6 run to pull away and win comfortably at home.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers are now in serious trouble after dropping the last two games to find themselves on the brink of elimination. In Thursday’s blowout loss, Ivica Zubac led the team in scoring with 27 points, Kawhi Leonard added 20 points with nine rebounds and 11 assists, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 points while Kris Dunn chipped in with 15 points.
As a team, the Clippers shot 52 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line as they did a decent job of weathering the early storm and staying within striking distance. Until they got blown away in the third quarter to trail by as many as 22 points at one stage. James Harden just couldn’t get going all night as he finished with just 11 points with five assists on three of nine shooting while committing four turnovers.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won 13 of their last 14 night games at Intuit Dome.
- The Nuggets have lost seven of their last eight Western Conference First Round road games against Pacific Division opponents following a win.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine home games following a road loss.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven night games following a home win.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last seven games as underdogs against the Clippers following a win.
- The Clippers have lost four of their last five Western Conference First Round games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs against the Clippers following a win.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight playoff games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
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.
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.
Clippers vs Nuggets Prediction
The Clippers had their chance to take a 3-1 series lead not too long ago, but now they find themselves on the brink of another early playoff exit after getting run off the court by the Nuggets in Game 5. The Clippers did a great job of weathering an early barrage from the Nuggets and keeping the margin to just eight points at halftime. But just a little run from the Nuggets had the Clippers trailing by double digits the entire second half.
The Nuggets were really in a flow on offense from the start of Game 5, and they didn’t even need a big scoring game from Jokic as the role players stepped up, but that was at home. The Clippers can atone for their mistakes on Tuesday with a win here, but they are going to need Leonard and Harden to both step up at home. The line is a bit hefty, but I think the Clippers force a series decider with a win and cover at home in this spot.