The 5-seed Los Angeles Clippers head to Denver to face the 4-seed Nuggets on Saturday afternoon. The game is at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN. It’s Game 1 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Can the Nuggets cover the 2.5-point spread as home favorites? Keep reading for our Clippers vs. Nuggets betting prediction.
The series is tied 0-0.
The Los Angeles Clippers went 50-32 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 0-0 straight up and 0-0 ATS in the postseason this year. The Clippers are 47-35 ATS this season.
The Denver Nuggets went 50-32 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 0-0 straight up and 0-0 ATS in the postseason this year. The Nuggets are 38-43-1 ATS this season.
Clippers vs. Nuggets Matchup & Betting Odds
505 Los Angeles Clippers (+2.5) at 506 Denver Nuggets (-2.5); o/u 224.5
3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 19, 2025
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
TV: ESPN
Clippers vs. Nuggets Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 65% of public bettors are currently backing the Nuggets when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Los Angeles Clippers Daily Fantasy Spin
Clippers shooting guard James Harden posted a double-double in his team’s 124-119 overtime win over the Warriors last Sunday. The 2018 NBA MVP put up 39 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 48 minutes. Harden shot 13 of 23 from the field and 5 of 8 from three-point range in the victory.
Los Angeles Center Ivica Zubac also played well against Golden State last weekend. The 28-year-old 7-footer recorded 22 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal. Zubac is fourth on the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game this year.
Denver Nuggets Daily Fantasy Spin
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made a big impact in his team’s 126-111 win over the Rockets last Sunday. The Serbian big man logged 18 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a block in 31 minutes. The three-time NBA MVP shot 7 of 10 from the field and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc in the win.
Denver point guard Russell Westbrook was electric off the bench in his team’s game on Sunday. In 23 minutes, the 36-year-old out of UCLA registered 17 points, 6 assists, and 7 made free throws. Westbrook is sixth on the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game this season.
Clippers vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games against Denver.
Los Angeles is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Denver is 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Denver is 16-19-1 ATS as a home favorite this season.
Clippers vs. Nuggets NBA Prediction:
When healthy, the Clippers are one of the five or six best teams in the NBA. L.A.’s four best players are Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac. All four of those players are averaging over 16 points per game, and all but Zubac are putting up more than 21 points per contest this season. The Clippers have a well-balanced offense and an elite defense (they ranked 3rd in the league in defensive rating this year) when everyone is healthy. As it stands right now, the Clippers are healthy, and I think they’re deeper and better than the Nuggets as they are presently constituted. For that reason, I like the Clips in this matchup. The pick is Los Angeles +2.5 points over Denver at Bovada.lv.