Just a half game separates the Nuggets and the Clippers in the NBA Western Conference playoff race. The Clippers Kawhi Leonard is listed as out (foot) as are Center Serge Ibaka and guard Patrick Beverley. Although the Clippers have won 7 of 10 they lost their last 2. Denver is hot too (8 of 10) and on a 4 game winning streak although Jamal Murray is out for the season (knee). I like the Clippers to win this one at home.
With guard Jamal Murray out for the season (knee) Denver center Nikola Jokic has been carrying the load and is nearly averaging a triple double with 26.2 ppg, 10.9 RBG, and 8.6 assists per game. Saturday they will face the Clippers and forward Paul George who averages 23.7 ppg, 6.5 RBG and 5.3 assists. This game is bound to go down to the wire as the two squads are vying for the 3rd seed in the NBA Western Playoffs, and that’s what can make NBA betting predictions like this game fun! Denver coach Mike Malone has been going to his deep bench all season which has worked to fill in for their injured stars. Forward Michael Porter has increased his playing time and picked up the scoring with Murray out. Porter is averaging 30.3 ppg during the team’s current 4 game winning streak. For the home team Clippers, with Leonard out and coming off a tough loss on the road to Phoenix, they will rely on George’s hot hand. The 11 year veteran is averaging 29.9 ppg in his last 10 games. This Covid season has been so crazy with the contracted schedule forcing teams to build in off days for their players making betting predictions has been all the more challenging. Especially for a game like this one with each team having key players out. Frankly we will need to wait until the post season to see teams actually put their best line-ups in every night. That being said the West is tightly contested and all these teams, with their coaches juggling line-ups are in the same boat. If you’re here looking for Nuggets vs Clippers betting predictions, here is my 2 cents. Coming home off of a three game road trip, I like the Clippers to win at the Staples Center. They have an extra day of rest compared to Denver and that extra day combined with the familiarity of home court should be enough for L.A. to get a win.
