Clippers vs. Nuggets Prediction, Game 1 Expert Picks & NBA Odds Today: Best Bets for NBA Playoffs
The first Western Conference playoffs get underway in just a couple of hours. The No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets (50-32) host the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers (50-32) at Ball Arena in Denver, with tipoff slated for 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).
The Nuggets are 2.5-point betting favorites at our best sports betting sites; they have moneyline odds of at least -135 and a total of 225.5. Can the home side open with a win? Our best Clippers vs. Nuggets Game 1 prediction and expert picks delve into that as part of our NBA picks.
📺 Game info & where to watch Clippers vs. Nuggets live today
📅 Date: Saturday, April 19
🕗 Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Ball Arena (Denver)
📺 TV: ESPN
💻 Streaming: ESPN+
💡 Clippers vs. Nuggets Game 1 prediction & expert picks: NBA Playoffs - Saturday, April 19
🎯 Score prediction: Nuggets 113, Clippers 109
✅ Best bet: Nuggets (-135 via bet365)
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📰 Clippers vs. Nuggets NBA Game 1 preview & matchup analysis
These two teams tied the regular-season series, despite the Nuggets having the home-court advantage in three games. Los Angeles won the first matchup in Denver 109-104, but that was back on Oct. 26. The Nuggets won each of the other two games in Denver by at least 22 points.
Los Angeles is on fire entering the postseason. The Clippers have won eight games in a row and 10 of their last 11. During that streak, they’ve won seven games over teams that qualified for the NBA postseason, with the lone loss coming on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 3-4 in their last seven games, though they have won three in a row entering the postseason.
Despite LA playing better than Denver right now, the home side still has the advantage due to its postseason experience and the fact that it dominated Los Angeles in their last two meetings at Ball Arena. Additionally, the Clippers haven’t been able to exploit the Nuggets’ defensive weakness at all in Denver.
If you’re looking for player props, it’s worth noting that Nikola Jokic underperformed against his season average in points, rebounds, and assists against the Clippers this season. With the Clippers allowing just 108.2 points per game, fourth-best in the NBA, Jokic may struggle again.
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💰 Clippers vs. Nuggets Game 1 picks & best bets
✅ Against the spread pick: Nuggets -2.5 (-105 via bet365) ⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Nuggets (-135 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Under 225.5 (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐
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⛹️ Best Clippers vs. Nuggets Game 1 predictions
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🔥 Nuggets -2.5 ⭐⭐
Of the four games being played today, this is the hardest one to pick. The Clippers enter with the better defense, but the Nuggets are at home and have the third-highest scoring offense in the league. Though Denver allows a lot of points, it's had no trouble shutting down LA's 20th-ranked scoring offense in their last two meetings.
It wouldn’t shock me to see the Clippers lose this game by one or two points, but with the Nuggets winning their last two home games against the Clippers by an average of 22.5 points, I have to back them here, even if the Clippers are playing incredibly well right now.
Best odds: -105 via bet365
🔥 Nuggets moneyline ⭐⭐⭐
Rather than taking a risk with the spread, the best bet for this game is to take the Nuggets to win outright. Though Denver wasn't dominant at home, it did finish 26-15 at Ball Arena. Meanwhile, Los Angeles finished below .500 on the road, the second-worst road record of the top eight teams in the Western Conference.
The price for this wager isn’t too expensive either. Some sportsbooks have this price listed higher than -145, but the -135 being offered at bet365 provides great value. There hasn’t been overwhelming support for the Nuggets, so you may be able to wait this out and get an even better price closer to tipoff.
Best odds: -135 via bet365
🔥 Under 225.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Two of the four meetings between these two teams exceeded this total, while the other two meetings fell comfortably below this line. Because the Clippers have scored just 201 combined points in their last two meetings against the Nuggets, I’ll lean Under for today's game.
Despite allowing 116.9 points per game, the Nuggets have held the Clippers to 109 or fewer in three of their four meetings. And while Denver boasts the third-highest scoring offense in the league, Los Angeles has one of the best scoring defenses. Even if the Nuggets blow the Clippers out, both teams won’t score at a high rate.
Best odds: -110 via BetMGM
🚀 Best Clippers vs. Nuggets parlay picks & SGP odds
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🔢 Best Clippers vs. Nuggets odds & betting lines
🛒 Shop around for the best Clippers vs. Nuggets odds from our best sports betting apps.
📡 Clippers vs. Nuggets live odds
🛜 Game already started? You can still get in on the action with our best live betting sites.
🪧 Clippers vs. Nuggets opening odds
Opening odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Clippers +3.5 (-115) | Nuggets -3.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Clippers +125 | Nuggets -150
- Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-115) | Under 224.5 (-105)
📊 Clippers vs. Nuggets stats: Records, trends & best odds today
📈 For full team stats and betting line history, follow our Clippers vs. Nuggets matchup.
🚑 Clippers vs. Nuggets injury report
📋 For the latest injury news, check today's official NBA injury report.
🗳️ Who will win Clippers vs. Nuggets?
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