Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets
05 January 2023
There are some big games on the NBA schedule on Thursday night, including a matchup in the Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Clippers, and this game has the potential to be a playoff preview.
Los Angeles comes into this game with a record of 21-18, but they have dropped three straight games. The Clippers are a team that could make a deep run in the playoffs, but they just haven’t been super consistent so far in the regular season.
Denver has won three of its last five games, and they are a team that has been playing great over the last few weeks. The Nuggets come into this game with a record of 24-13, and they are now on top of the standings in the Western Conference.
The Denver Nuggets are 4.5-point betting favorites over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.
Clippers Must Defend
The Los Angeles Clippers are going to have to find a way to get stops in this game, and that hasn’t been easy of late. Los Angeles has given up at least 110 points in five straight games, and that puts a ton of pressure on the offense.
Keeping the best players on the floor has also been a challenge for the Clippers, especially when it comes to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George is leading the way with 24.4 points per game this season, but he needs more help along the way.
Los Angeles will be a tough out in the postseason, but it’s games like this where they need to show up and play well.
Jokic Does it All For Denver
Nikola Jokic just continues to put up huge numbers for the Denver Nuggets, and he will have a big night in this one. Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double this season and he looks to be well on his way to yet another NBA MVP Award.
The Nuggets are also starting to get healthy, which means more scorers on the floor. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are both over 17 points per game and can take over if needed.
Denver has not been as great defensively as they have been in recent years, but they are still holding opponents to less than league average.
Clippers Keep it Close in Loss
Denver was able to beat up the Clippers earlier this season, but Los Angeles was missing some top players in that game. This one should play out much differently, and this is a battle between two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Nikola Jokic will be too much for the Clippers to completely shut down, but the Clippers can shut the rest of them down. Los Angeles needs to have a big performance in this game, and they will push the Nuggets to the brink.
Take the 4.5 points and bet on the Los Angeles Clippers in this game, but the Denver Nuggets will come away with a win.
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