For just the second time since blowing a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals in the Orlando bubble, the Clippers will get a chance at revenge against the Nuggets. In the first meeting this season between these two teams, Los Angeles won handily on Christmas night, but it will now see a Denver team that received a major boost on trade deadline day.
Here are our best free NBA betting picks and predictions for Nuggets vs. Clippers on April 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Nuggets vs Clippers odds
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonFanDuel opened Los Angeles as a 1-point favorite Wednesday night, the line jumped the fence overnight to Denver -1 and stretched out to Nuggets -2.5 earlier this evening. As of 8 p.m. ET, the line is Denver -1.5, with the Nuggets attracting 73 percent of spread bets and 84 percent of spread money. The total tumbled from 226.5 to 218.5, then rebounded to 220.5, with 77 percent of bets/75 percent of money on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameNuggets at Clippers betting preview
Injuries
Nuggets: Greg Whittington SF (Out), Monte Morris PG (Out).
Clippers: Paul George SF (Questionable), Marcus Morris PF (Questionable), Rajon Rondo PG (Questionable), Serge Ibaka PF (Out), Patrick Beverley PG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Clippers.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
Steve Ballmer working up a sweat on the sideline, the way they are fighting for any kind of recognition in their own city, the clandestine manner in which their two stars came together, and the stars themselves, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George — the Clippers are weird.
So, in true Clippers fashion, it was only right they reeled off six wins in a row, including consecutive victories over fellow title contenders in the 76ers and Bucks, before losing to the Magic 103-96. In L.A.'s defense, it was its fifth game in seven nights, but still a fairly inexcusable loss — but the type of loss that has plagued the Clippers this year.
After a slow start to the season, the Nuggets are charging up the Western Conference standings while Nikola Jokic charges up the MVP odds board. Having gone 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS over their last 10, the Nuggets are now fifth in the West and just a game back of the banged-up Lakers. Denver is as legitimate of a contender as any, and that includes the Clippers. Expect the Nuggets' strong second half of the season to continue with a big win here.
PREDICTION: Nuggets -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Los Angeles and Denver offer us a nice, straight-forward O/U pick. Both teams have consistently rewarded Over bettors in 2021, with the Clippers at 28-20-1 and the Nuggets 28-19 O/U. L.A. is atop the league in offensive rating, while Denver is fourth and led by one of the game's premier hubs on offense in Jokic. The Nuggets' offense should only improve with Aaron Gordon's addition, too, as it gives Jokic a high-level cutter to work off his elite passing.
With two truly potent offenses, led by two superstars in Jokic and Leonard, not even George's potential absence in this one would make us lean Under. In the 13 games George has missed in 2021, L.A. is 9-4 O/U. If he does miss a third straight, that will go to 10-4 O/U.
PREDICTION: Over 224 (-110)
Player prop pick
Some nights, Michael Porter Jr. is reminiscent of a young Kevin Durant, getting to wherever he wants on the floor and rising above his defender to get off any shot he wants. Other nights he looks like any number of the inefficient chuckers across the league. Porter's form comes and goes, but at the moment, he's cruising.
Denver's Tuesday night win over the 76ers featured a scintillating 27-point, 12-rebound night from Porter on just under 70 percent shooting from the field. With George - who would be most likely to defend Porter - either out or slowed for this one, we like Porter to put together another big scoring night.
PREDICTION: Michael Porter Jr. Over 16.5 Points (-120)
Nuggets vs Clippers betting card
- Nuggets -1.5 (-110)
- Over 224 (-110)
- Michael Porter Jr. Over 16.5 Points (-120)
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