Nuggets vs. Clippers Prediction
The Denver Nuggets and L.A. Clippers kick off a busy day in the NBA on Saturday with a matchup at 5:00 p.m. ET. With the Clippers listed as a small favorite, what’s the best play on the board for bettors?
Game Snapshot
521 Denver Nuggets at 522 Los Angeles Clippers
5:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 22, 2018
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Clippers are 1-point favorites to beat the Nuggets. The total, meanwhile, sits at 218.5 points and as of this writing, 60% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Clippers to cover the point spread.
Denver Nuggets Fantasy Spin
Nikola Jokic had his way with DeAndre Jordan on Tuesday, hitting 13-of-25 shots, two 3-pointers and 4-of-4 free throws for 32 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three steals, a block and five turnovers in 35 minutes of the 126-118 win. He didn’t hit a single season high with tonight’s stellar line, which should tell you what kind of season he’s having for the Nuggets. And speaking of the Nuggets, they tied the franchise record for their best start to a season at 21-9 and have never sat alone in first place in the West this deep into a season. And Jokic is a big reason why the Nuggets (and his owner’s fantasy teams) are doing so well this season. The Warriors are right behind the first-place Nuggets at 21-10, while the East’s Raptors have the best record in the league at 23-9.
Los Angeles Clippers Fantasy Spin
Danilo Gallinari made 11-of-16 from the field and all seven from the line for 32 points during a 125-121 win over the Mavs on Thursday, adding six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and three 3-pointers in 34 minutes. This efficient gem makes his December averages look very nice in the 10 games, averaging 20.7 points, 5.8 boards, 2.7 dimes, 0.8 steals and 2.2 treys on a pristine 64.3 TS% with a 24.1 usage rate. Gallo was tearing it up in October and cooled off a little in November, but his stats are better in December than said hot October. He has been one of the best value picks in drafts as a top-25 player and it looks like he just needs to stay healthy.
NBA Betting Trends
Denver
The Nuggets are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven road games and have covered the spread in 16 of their last 21 games coming off a win.
Los Angeles
The Clippers are 9-4 against the number in their last 13 home games but have dropped six of their last eight games against the spread overall.
Prediction
The under has been highly profitable in this series, cashing in 20 of the previous 26 meetings in L.A. and in 36 of the previous 52 meetings overall. The under is also 9-4-1 in the Nuggets’ last 14 road games and is 11-5-1 in their last 17 Western Conference tilts. On the other side, the under is 22-9 in the Clippers’ last 31 games when facing an opponent with a winning record.
Saturday NBA Prediction: Nuggets/Clippers under 218.5
