Free NBA Pick: Nuggets vs. Clippers NBA Odds
Looking for Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Nuggets taking on the Clippers on Saturday, May 1st, 2021 at the Staples Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Nuggets Clippers matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(42-21) Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers (43-21)
Date: Saturday, May 1st
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: OFF
NBA Betting Odds: Clippers -4.5
NBA Betting Total: 224.5
Saturday, May 1st finds the LA Clippers hosting the Denver Nuggets for the third and final time this season. The first meeting occurred on December 25th with the Clippers prevailing 121-108. In the second meeting on April 1st, the Nuggets won 101-94.
The Nuggets hold the all-time record between the clubs with 98 wins in 180 meetings. Last season, the teams played three times with the Clippers taking two of the three contests.
Denver Nuggets
The first meeting between the clubs was won by LA with Nikola Jokic delivering 24 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. and Jamal Murray dropped 23 points.
In the next meeting, all five Nuggets starters reached double-figures. Murray had yet to suffer his injury and led Denver with 23 points while Michael Porter Jr. scored 20. Nikola Jokic delivered 14 points, seven rebounds, ad seven assists.
Denver has been on a roll, winning eight of the last nine games including the most recent game against the Raptors. The teams battled back and forth each taking leads and going on runs.
But with the top two Raptors reserves out (Gary Trent Jr. and Chris Boucher) as well as Fred VanVleet the benches became the key difference with the Nuggets bench outscoring the Raptors bench 48 to 19.
Seven Nuggets delivered double-digit scores with Michael Porter Jr. leading the way scoring 23 points. Nikola Jokic delivered a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Zeke Nnaji (ankle) is questionable. Will Barton (hamstring strain), Monte Morris (hamstring strain) and Jamal Murray (torn ACL) are all out.
LA Clippers
In the first meeting between the clubs, LA had their typical starting lineup as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined to register 44 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals while dropping seven 3-pointers.
Nic Batum registered a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Serge Ibaka and Patrick Beverley who’ve each missed a substantial number of games both played.
By the time the teams met for a second time, Ibaka and Beverley were sidelined by injury and Batum was coming off the bench.
In that contest, both superstars participated with Leonard delivering a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds (half on the offensive glass) while George delivered 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
In the most recent match, the Clippers lost to the new top team in the West — the Phoenix Suns. All five Clippers starters scored in double-figures with Paul George leading the way with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Marcus Morris Sr. (16), Ivica Zubac (14), Terance Mann (12), and Reggie Jackson (10) were the other double-figure scorers.
Leonard hasn’t played since April 9th, missing the last 10 games due to a right foot injury but is listed as questionable for Saturday. Ibaka (back) and Beverley (hand), and Amir Coffey (health and safety protocols) are all out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The teams are 5-5 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
- The Nuggets are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these clubs
- The over/under is 2-7-1in the last 10 contests between the clubs
Fre Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers NBA Prediction:
At this time of the season, it’s rare to get two days off in a row but the Clippers have that advantage having last played Wednesday. Both teams are missing a core superstar with another playing but LA may be getting Leonard back.
If Kawhi plays I like LA’s chances but if he’s out again I like the Nuggets’ chances to keep it close and steal one at Staples. That said, by LA upgrading Leonard from out to questionable feels like a hint of his return.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nuggets +4
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