The Los Angeles Clippers (0-1) and Denver Nuggets (1-0) will face off in Game 2 of their first round NBA Playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The game will broadcast live on TNT.
The Clippers are 1-point favorites over the Nuggets on the spread (Clippers -1), with the over/under set at 218.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -120 favorite to win outright, while Denver is +100 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Clippers vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks for Monday, April 21.
Clippers vs Nuggets Prediction for NBA Playoffs Game 2
My Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 2 best bet is on Los Angeles to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Clippers -1 (-110)
Clippers vs Nuggets Odds, Spread, Total
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 218.5 -110o / -110u | -120 |
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 218.5 -110o / -110u | +100 |
- Clippers vs. Nuggets spread: Clippers -1
- Clippers vs. Nuggets over/under: 218.5 total points
- Clippers vs. Nuggets moneyline: Clippers -120, Nuggets +100
- Clippers vs. Nuggets best bet: Clippers -1 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Picks, Preview, Best Bets
This matchup could go right down to the wire after both teams earned a series split during the regular season. They took turns taking care of business, with Los Angeles winning the first two meetings before Denver came storming back. We saw a similar instance in Game 1, as the Clippers jumped out to a 15-point lead, only for the Nuggets to mount a rally and force overtime, ultimately escaping with the victory.
However, a closer look at the box score would suggest that Los Angeles probably did enough to deserve a more favorable result. After all, the Clippers shot 50% from the floor compared to 43.6% for Denver, outscored the Nuggets 60-56 inside the paint, and in transition (19-16), while also shooting better from the perimeter (12-of-33 vs. 9-of-27).
The one glaring flaw for the Clippers was their 20 turnovers, compared to 11 for the Nuggets. Los Angeles small forward Kawhi Leonard committed seven turnovers on his own, five more than his season average.
The Clippers know they likely did enough to win the game, but this time around, they'll have to take much better care of the basketball. With Denver ranking just 25th in forcing opponent turnovers (13.0 per game), Game 1 was much more of an anomaly than anything else. Look for the Clippers to get back on track in Game 2 and knot this series at one game apiece.
Clippers vs Nuggets Game 2 Betting Prediction
- Clippers -1 (-110)
Clippers vs Nuggets Parlay Picks for Game 2
One thing we can expect during the playoffs is that teams will often keep their starters on the court for a bit longer, resulting in fewer minutes for the players on the bench.
The Nuggets have rarely shown much of a desire to play their reserves, considering they ranked 28th in minutes played (14.7) by non-starters. Denver guard Christian Braun racked up 45 minutes in Game 1 and finished with 11 points, three rebounds and one assist.
Against a quality defensive team like the Clippers, Braun could struggle to produce, especially if Los Angeles is successful in dictating the pace and slowing the game down almost to a standstill. Braun has a points + rebounds prop of 18.5, a projection he has failed to meet in his last nine games against the Clippers.
With Russell Westbrook offering a bit more dynamism off the bench, it wouldn't surprise me if we see the veteran guard play his way into more minutes, thereby increasing our chances that Braun stays under his prop line.
Braun's prop would serve as an excellent addition to our same-game parlay, which includes the Clippers covering the spread as a one-point favorite.
Clippers vs Nuggets Game 2 Parlay
- Christian Braun Under 18.5 Points + Rebounds
- Clippers -1
Parlay Payout: +220
Clippers vs Nuggets Betting Trends
- 60% of bets and 60% of the money are on the Clippers to cover the spread
- 57% of bets and 53% of the money on the moneyline are on the Clippers to win outright
- 90% of bets and 87% of the money are on the over
Betting trends via our live, updating NBA public betting & money percentages page.
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