La Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions December 1st 2024

The Denver Nuggets (-145) are favored by 3 points on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers (+122). The over/under line for this Western Conference matchup is 222.5 points.

This game will be played at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood and is scheduled to start at 10:00 ET. You can watch the game on ALT.

Nuggets vs. Clippers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers
• Where: Inglewood at Intuit Dome
• Date: Sunday, December 1st
• Betting Odds DEN -3, DEN -145 | LAC +122 O/U 222.5

The Nuggets Can Win If…

The Nuggets improved to 10-7 this season with a 122-103 win over the Jazz on Wednesday. Denver, favored by 10.5 points, covered the spread with the 19-point victory. The combined score of 225 points fell just short of the 228.5-point total line.

Denver took control with a 13-0 run, turning a 59-53 deficit into a 66-59 lead. They dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters, outscoring Utah 66-41, and entered the 4th quarter up 100-76 before the Jazz narrowed the gap slightly in the final period.

Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets to a 122-103 win over the Jazz, scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while shooting 68.4% from the field. He was dominant in the 1st quarter, putting up 19 points. Jamal Murray added 22 points, 8 assists, and 10 points in the 3rd quarter, while Michael Porter Jr. contributed 19 points, with 10 coming in the 3rd as well.

Denver shot 54.8% from the field, with Jokić hitting 66.7% of his threes, though the team shot just 33.3% from deep, making 11 threes overall. Christian Braun chipped in 18 points, scoring 5 in the 4th quarter.

Despite a rough start, the Nuggets tightened up defensively after the 1st quarter, allowing just 18 points in the 2nd and 23 in the 3rd to help secure a win over the Jazz. Denver held Utah to 103 points on 42% shooting.

The Nuggets sent the Jazz to the line 18 times, where they made 11 free throws. Denver also recorded 10 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

• Across their ten previous road games, Denver has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 6-4 while averaging 112 points per game.
• Going back to their last three games as the favorite, the Nuggets have a straight up record of 1-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
• Over their last five games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Clippers Can Win If…

The Clippers fell to 12-9 on the season after a narrow 93-92 loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. Despite being +6.5 point underdogs, L.A. kept it close and covered the spread. The game’s total points of 185 fell well short of the 212.5 O/U line.

After trailing 53-47 at halftime, the Clippers tightened up defensively, holding Minnesota to 19 points in the 3rd quarter. L.A. went on a 10-0 run in the 4th, but the Timberwolves responded to close out the game.

In their 93-92 loss to the Timberwolves, the Clippers struggled offensively, shooting just 42.9% from the field and hitting 10 threes at a 32.3% clip. James Harden led the way with 20 points and 11 assists, though he shot just 35% from the floor, connecting on 3 of 9 from deep.

Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 17 points, 7 rebounds, and shot 60%, while Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 13 boards, hitting 88.9% of his shots. Harden scored 8 points in the 2nd quarter, and Kevin Porter added 7 in the 4th.

Even with a strong defensive effort, the Clippers couldn’t pull off the win, allowing 93 points to the Timberwolves. They gave up 26 points in the 1st quarter and 27 in the 2nd but tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 19 points. In the 4th, they held Minnesota to 21 points.

Overall, the Clippers held the Timberwolves to 41% shooting, but Minnesota hit 15 threes at a 38% clip. The Timberwolves also went 16/20 from the free-throw line. The Clippers gave up 11 offensive rebounds while recording 17 steals and 3 blocks.

• In their last five home games, Los Angeles has averaged 107 points per game while allowing 107. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 3-2.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Clippers have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 2-1.
• In their last three games, the Clippers have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 3-0 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re putting our money on the Nuggets to win, and have the projected score sitting at 122-96. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Nuggets at -3.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 222.5, and our model predicts the Nuggets and Clippers to score a combined 218 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Clippers Seek Redemption After Tough Loss

The Los Angeles Clippers return to their home court, aiming to build on their dominant home form as they face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Clippers, winners of seven straight games at Crypto.com Arena, are fresh off a narrow 93-92 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA Cup play.

Despite the loss, head coach Tyronn Lue praised his team’s defensive execution, as they held Minnesota to just 40 second-half points. James Harden, who posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 assists, played a pivotal role in keeping the Clippers competitive, while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

“I liked our defense all night,” Lue said postgame. “To hold this team to 40 points in the second half was huge for us.”

Injury Concerns Loom for the Clippers

The Clippers will face Denver without Kevin Porter Jr., who injured his left ankle in the final minutes against Minnesota. Norman Powell, averaging a team-high 23.3 points per game, remains questionable as he continues to recover from a left hamstring strain that has sidelined him since Nov. 18.

Despite these challenges, Los Angeles has leaned on its defensive tenacity, holding opponents under 100 points in six of its past seven games.

Jokic Shines as Nuggets Push for Consistency

The Denver Nuggets arrive in Los Angeles following a dominant 122-103 victory over the Utah Jazz. Nikola Jokic, the reigning MVP, delivered another signature performance with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Jokic is on pace for a historic season, averaging career highs in points (29.7), assists (10.6), and 3-point percentage (53.4).

Jokic’s consistency has fueled Denver’s offense, but head coach Michael Malone has expressed frustration with the team’s defensive inconsistencies.

“Our defense so far has just been really inconsistent,” Malone said. “We have to stop making simple mistakes if we want to be a top-10 defense. We’re far from that right now.”

Key Matchup: Clippers’ Defense vs. Jokic

The Clippers’ defensive effort will be tested against Jokic, who has the ability to dominate both as a scorer and a playmaker. Lue’s squad has been effective at neutralizing opponents in the paint but will need to limit second-chance opportunities and transition scoring to keep Denver in check.

The Clippers have momentum on their side at home, where their defensive intensity has shone through. The Nuggets, however, have the firepower to exploit any lapses.

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What’s at Stake

For the Clippers, a win would not only extend their home win streak but also build confidence as they push through a competitive Western Conference slate. For Denver, consistency on both ends of the floor remains a priority as they aim to recapture their top form from prior seasons.

With Jokic playing at an MVP level and the Clippers boasting a lockdown defense, Sunday’s matchup promises a thrilling clash between two Western Conference powerhouses.