- What: NBA Regular Season Game
- When: December 13, 2024
- Who: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets
- Time: 6:00 p.m. PST
- Where: Ball Arena (Denver, CO)
The Los Angeles Clippers will face off against the Denver Nuggets this Friday at Ball Arena.
The Nuggets currently lead the all-time series 108-87. This matchup marks their third encounter this season. Recently, the Clippers secured a narrow victory over the Nuggets, winning 126-122 at Crypto.
Earlier in the season, they also triumphed 109-104 at Ball Arena on October 26, 2024. Remarkably, the Clippers have won four consecutive games against the Nuggets.
However, the Nuggets hold a 6-4 record over the last 10 games against the Clippers and have fared well at home, winning four of their last five matchups against them.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been struggling with numerous injuries this season, but some promising news is on the horizon. Kawhi Leonard has recently returned to practice and could be back on the court soon.
Having not played at all this season, his return could significantly boost an inconsistent team. In the meantime, other players have stepped up their game.
Norman Powell has emerged as the standout performer, on track for a career year. Currently, he is averaging 23.6 points per game with an impressive shooting percentage of 49.2 percent.
James Harden has also faced injuries but was able to complete a full practice. He is contributing averages of 21.6 points and 8.5 assists per game.
Game Day in Denver!
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???? @AM570LASports, @TuLigaRadio pic.twitter.com/wsVSEy7ji6— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 13, 2024
However, his shooting has slipped to 37.9 percent from the field, including just 33.8 percent from beyond the arc, indicating that he is not quite the ‘old’ Harden we once knew.
Ivica Zubac continues to make a significant impact as the team’s center, averaging 14.8 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, with an impressive shooting percentage of 60.2. The Clippers could also welcome back Amir Coffey, who has participated fully in practice this week.
Currently, Coffey is averaging 10.2 points per game and shooting 48.6 percent from the field, including 43 percent from beyond the arc.
However, the team remains without Derrick Jones Jr., who is sidelined for another two weeks due to a hamstring injury. This situation means that Kevin Porter Jr. will need to elevate his performance in response to the team’s injuries.
For the Clippers to cover the spread, they need to maintain strong shooting and capitalize on free throw opportunities. Additionally, they must focus on limiting the effectiveness of one of the league’s top players.
Denver Nuggets
The start of the season hasn’t been perfect for the Nuggets, as they’ve faced their share of challenges. However, Nikola Jokic continues to shine, delivering astonishing performances on the court.
Just last week, Jokic put on a stellar display, scoring 48 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a commanding victory against the Atlanta Hawks.
He is currently averaging 32.3 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 56.1 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range. Jokic is undoubtedly the backbone of this team.
Michael Porter Jr. has stepped up as the second-best player, enjoying a standout season. He made an impact last Sunday with 26 points and is consistently proving his value.
Porter is averaging 19 points per game, shooting at an impressive 51.2 percent from the floor.
Back from the break #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/3SJPWpa879
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 13, 2024
In light of Jamal Murray potentially missing this game due to a hamstring injury, there’s a pressing need for increased contributions from the rest of the team.
Christian Braun could step up, as he’s currently averaging 15.4 points per game with an impressive 57 percent shooting from the field.
Aaron Gordon is also performing well, contributing an average of 14.3 points per game.
On the other hand, Russell Westbrook has encountered some difficulties, averaging just 11.3 points per game with a shooting percentage of only 39.9.
For the Nuggets to cover the spread, they need to maintain their shooting success and keep their offensive momentum going.
Additionally, improving their free-throw shooting and winning the rebounding battle will be crucial for their success.
Clippers-Nuggets Best Bet
The Clippers currently hold a 16-9 record against the spread, whereas the Nuggets sit at 8-13-1 in that regard.
On the road, the Clippers have been strong, going 7-3 against the spread, while the Nuggets have struggled at home, with a record of 3-6-1 against the odds.
When facing teams from the Western Conference, the Clippers are 12-7 against the spread, compared to the Nuggets’ 6-7-1 record.
This season, the Clippers have won both matchups against the Nuggets. While I believe the Nuggets have a good chance of securing a win, I also anticipate that the Clippers will keep it competitive.
It’s important to monitor Murray’s status leading up to the game, but I can see the Clippers successfully covering the spread on the road.
The best bet in this one is Clippers +5.5 points at -110 odds at BetMGM.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
