The Denver Nuggets faced a figurative now-or-never moment on Tuesday night. Led by Jamal Murray, they delivered.
Now the Los Angeles Clippers face a literal now-or-never moment in Game 6. Win or see another season of the Kawhi Leonard Era end with little fanfare.
My Nuggets vs. Clippers predictions focus on a lesser-praised LA stalwart, one that may have had the most impressive season of anyone in the first year of the Intuit Dome. Find out more in my NBA picks for Thursday, May 1.
Who will win Nuggets vs Clippers Game 6
Part of why Game 5 was such a now-or-never moment for the Nuggets was that it came on three days of rest.
Denver has less of a bench than Los Angeles does. The 2023 champions have relied on four of their starters for 40.4 minutes per game apiece in this series — Michael Porter Jr.’s playing time diminished only by a shoulder injury, and yet even he has cleared 35 minutes in each of the last three games.
The series was tied, but falling 3-2 with a two-day turnaround before each game, the rest of the series would have doomed the Nuggets.
Now they face that exhausted reality. Add in the Clippers’ desperation down 3-2, and this series should be tied up and heading to Game 7.
Nuggets vs Clippers prediction
My best bet: Ivica Zubac Over 18.5 points (-120 at bet365)
It is a testament to how up-and-down the Los Angeles Clippers’ season was that there is not yet more conversation about Ivica Zubac’s improvement.
When Kawhi Leonard was finally fully engaged in March, Los Angeles had been lodged in the No. 6 seed for a full month. When he started playing his full workload, the Clippers proceeded to go 18-4 through the rest of the season.
The world praised Leonard, and understandably so.
However, Ivica Zubac was a big part of how LA had held onto decent standing while waiting for the oft-injured Leonard. The Croatian center was a big part of the Clippers' surging to the No. 5 seed on the season’s final day, and he has been an increasingly big part of their best hopes in this series.
He is an excellent defender, but against Nikola Jokic, no defense is good enough. Los Angeles has instead turned to Zubac on offense, hoping he can wear out Jokic a bit on that end of the court.
In Game 5, Zubac went 11-of-15 from the field for 27 points, not the sole reason that Jokic went 4-of-13 from the field... but certainly a contributing factor. If Jamal Murray had not dug deep for a vintage performance, Zubac’s offense may have been enough to grab a 3-2 series lead against the Denver Nuggets.
It should not be abandoned because of the loss. Zubac’s offense is not why there was not enough good defense on Murray.
Going to Zubac more and more often makes Jokic work harder and harder. It serves a bigger purpose than simply putting in points, but Zubac has also simply put in points. He has cleared this prop in three straight games and in four of the five games in this series.
Expect more from Zubac. If that surprises you, then you have not paid enough attention to the most improved player in Los Angeles.
Nuggets vs Clippers same-game parlay
Ivica Zubac Over 18.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 26.5 points
Clippers moneyline
As well as Jokic always plays, his scoring has required greater effort this series. In three of five games, he has fallen short of this prop.
The Joker has averaged 25.4 points in the five games. That is hardly a disappointment, but Zubac is making Jokic work.
Faith in Zubac on the offensive side can be doubled down with a touch of doubt in Jokic's points prop, and that combination plays into the Clippers extending this series.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Nuggets vs Clippers odds
Nuggets vs Clippers live odds
Nuggets vs Clippers opening odds
- Spread: Denver +6.5 (-110) | Los Angeles -6.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Denver +230 | Los Angeles -280
- Over/Under: Over 212.5 (-110) | Under 212.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nuggets vs Clippers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Many spreads this postseason have overreacted as a series has changed locations, but not this Game 6 mark. The Clippers were two-point favorites in Game 5; moving that by 4.5 points might even be conservative for Game 6.
- This spread favoring LA by 6.5 is the same as it was in Game 4 in the Intuit Dome.
- The total jumping up a bucket reflects a postseason-wide trend of coaches and teams adjusting to the newfound physicality, with Overs surging after starting just 7-19 in the NBA Playoffs.
Nuggets vs Clippers trend
Los Angeles is 29-14 against the spread at home this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Clippers.
How to watch Nuggets vs Clippers
| Location | Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA |
| Date | Thursday, 5-1-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Nuggets vs Clippers latest injuries
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