The Los Angeles Clippers (22-23) visit the Mile High City Wednesday to play the Denver Nuggets (22-20) Tip-off at Ball Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Clippers vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
L.A. snapped a two-game losing skid by beating the Indiana Pacers 139-133 as a 2.5-point home favorite Monday. The Clippers are 20-25 against the spread (ATS) and 19-26 Over/Under (O/U).
Denver had a two-game winning streak end after getting crushed 125-102 by the visiting Utah Jazz Sunday. The Nuggets are 18-24 ATS and 22-20 O/U.
These teams are tied 1-1 in their regular-season series, but the Clippers covered both meetings and the Under cashed in each.
Clippers at Nuggets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:12 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Clippers +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Nuggets -370 (bet $370 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +8.5 (-115) | Nuggets -8.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Clippers at Nuggets key injuries
Clippers
- SF Nicolas Batum (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Paul George (elbow) out
- SG Luke Kennard (return to competition reconditioning) questionable
Nuggets
- SG Bryn Forbes (acquisition) out
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Clippers at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 112, Clippers 98
Money line
PASS.
The Nuggets are the right side, obviously, but the -370 price is way out of my price range. Also, the Clippers only scored 28 first-half points in their last game against the Nuggets (Jan. 11) and somehow stole that game outright.
I see Denver exacting some revenge in this spot, but no way I’d risk -370 on an NBA regular-season favorite.
Against the spread
LEAN to the NUGGETS -8.5 (-107) for a half-unit since we’re getting to the party a little late in Denver and I like its first-half spread more.
The Nuggets opened as 6.5-point favorites before the market steamed them up to the current number. But the awfulness of Denver’s previous loss to L.A. should motivate the Nuggets to beat the brakes off of the Clippers here.
I like the NUGGETS -4.5 (-120) FIRST-HALF SPREAD as my favorite wager in this game. Denver has a plus-6.7 first-half scoring margin over the past three games, while L.A. has a minus-6.3 first-half scoring margin over its last three games.
Also, we cashed with Denver’s first-half money line vs. L.A. Jan. 11 when the Nuggets entered halftime with a 41-28 lead.
Denver will take it to L.A. early and keep its foot on the gas in this game.
The NUGGETS -4.5 (-120) FIRST-HALF SPREAD is the play, but there’s also value in Denver’s spread.
Over/Under
PASS with a slight lean to the Under 213.5 (-110).
Denver is 6-8 O/U as a home favorite, L.A. is 6-12 O/U on the road and the last four Clippers-Nuggets meetings have gone Under the total.
However, more than 80% of the cash wagered is on the Under (according to Pregame.com) and this total has actually increased from the 213-point opener. This is called reverse-line movement and I’m weary this could be a “trap spot” for the Under.
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