NBA Betting Picks, Odds, And Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs Denver Nuggets

The Los Angeles Clippers have picked up the pace after an uncanny four-game slide, winning their last two games with the chance to match the Denver Nuggets for second place in the Western Conference as both teams face off on Friday inside the Staples Center.

The Nuggets have also seized their last two assignments, the last of which came on Tuesday at the expense of the Detroit Pistons, 115-98, to become the fifth team in the league to reach the 40-win mark. The Clippers could barge into the club by counting on to their 23-6 home record and the exploits of star forward Kawhi Leonard who collected 24 points and 14 rebounds in the 102-92 win against the Suns in Phoenix.

Los Angeles Clippers

The new recruits have been balling out lately for the Clippers. Marcus Morris tallied his best scoring output as a Clipper since being dealt by the New York Knicks at the trade deadline, finishing with 18 points against the Suns. Meanwhile, Reggie Jackson, who was acquired from the Detroit Pistons, made the most out of his 16 minutes as he put up 12 points on four-of-six shooting off the bench.

It seems that head coach Doc Rivers is already saving some energy from his top guns with the playoffs coming soon. He has spread out the minutes among his usual rotation as Paul George was noticeably held silent in 28 minutes against Phoenix with just 11 points on 30.8 percent shooting. The bench mob of Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams was also a missing factor despite the win as they combined for just 14 points in a combined 14 shot attempts.

Denver Nuggets

In a show of utter dominance, Nuggets forward Jerami Grant went ballistic to score a career-high 29 points off the bench in Tuesday's win against the Pistons. The former second-round draft pick was on video game mode as he efficiently nailed 12 of his 15 shots and scored his fifth 20-point game of the season. Jamal Murray put up numbers across the board as he finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and eight assists on a team-high 33 minutes of playing time, putting his averages at 25.1 points and 6.1 assists in eight games during the month.

Odds and Preview

The Clippers are projected to hit the 40-win mark to join Denver and four other teams as they are tagged as six-point favorites against the Nuggets at home. The total line is placed pick 'em at 220.5 over/under based on the latest update on the NBA Odds by sportsbooks.

The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight-up win and 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

The Clippers are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games playing on 1-day rest and 6-13 in their last 19 games following a straight-up win.

Over is 3-0-1 in Nuggets' last 4 games following a straight-up win and 4-1 in Clippers' last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

Under is 7-1 in Nuggets' last 8 games as a road underdog and 4-0 in Clippers' last 4 games as a favorite.

Prediction

Nuggets win, 111-107