Game 2 Preview: LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Odds, Picks & Predictions (April 21)

• The Los Angeles Clippers are a 1.5-point road favorite in Game 2 of their 1st round series vs the Denver Nuggets
• The Nuggets won 112-110 in overtime in a tough Game 1 battle
• See my Clippers vs Nuggets Game 2 predictions and odds on April 21

A very intriguing first round matchup continues Monday, when the Los Angeles Clippers (48-35 ATS) continue their first round NBA Playoff series in Denver against the Nuggets (38-44-1 ATS). In Game 1, the Nuggets squeaked by the Clippers 112-110 in overtime, the third straight victory by Denver over LA. The books are leaning towards the road team in Game 2, which goes Monday at 10:00pm ET from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, with TNT/truTV/Max carrying the broadcast in the United States and TSN in Canada.

Clippers vs Nuggets Odds

The Clippers are 1.5-point road favorites in the NBA odds, including a -118 on the moneyline. The Nuggets are +100 underdogs after being -102 late Sunday night, with the total checking in at 218.5 points.

Odds as of April 21 at FanDuel. Be sure to check out the best FanDuel promo code before placing a bet on any NBA game on Monday.

Both teams enter Game 2 with a clean bill of health, with Patty Mills and Nicolas Batum expected to be available for the Clippers. The only concern for Denver is that of Aaron Gordon, who is listed as probable (calf). He was able to suit up in Game 1, and provided a spark, shooting 8-for-14 for 25 points and eight rebounds. DaRon Holmes (Achilles) is out for the season, though the Nuggets haven’t had his services all year.

The Clippers are the seventh choice in the NBA Championship odds at +3000, while the Nuggets are right behind them at +4000 over at DraftKings.

LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Pick

• Clippers vs Nuggets pick: Nuggets ML (+100)

Despite the loss in Game 1, the Clippers have been rolling, winning eight straight headed into the postseason, and have taken 18 of their last 22 games overall. Prior to their fantastic regular season finish, they were a very middling 32-29, but ended up 50-32, good for fifth in the West. A huge, and not surprising reason for that, was Kawhi Leonard’s presence, as the team went 15-2 with him in the lineup down the stretch.

Denver has looked solid since the shocking shakeup that saw Head Coach Michael Malone fired. Under David Adelman, they’ve won all four games, three of which came against playoff teams (Clippers, Rockets, Grizzlies), and one play-in team (Kings). In Game 1, Nikola Jokic was his normal phenomenal self, finishing a rebound shy of a triple-double (team-high 29 points, twelve assists, nine boards).

In the regular season, Denver was first in field goal percentage, and therefore strong at scoring, ranking third. Defensively was more of a challenge, as they were 25th. On the flip side, the Clippers were fantastic on D, yet weren’t as capable scoring, ranking 20th with 112.9 points per game. That was a particular challenge with Leonard missing over half the season (45 games).

Clippers vs Nuggets Regular-Season Statistical Matchup

In this Clippers vs Nuggets matchup, our SBD formula indicates it’ll be a tight tilt, won 116.4-115.4 by the Clippers. That points to Denver ever so slightly covering the 1.5 point spread and the over 218.5 point total hitting. The -118 odds has an implied win probability of 54.13% for the road team. Despite being underdogs for this contest, the Nuggets have won three straight against LA this season by margins of 23, 22, and two points in Game 1.

It’s important to note that in those two blowouts, the Clippers didn’t have Kawhi Leonard competing. He was available in Game 1, and had 22 points, but a surprising seven turnovers. I’m still tempted to select the home underdog of +100 in this game, with there being some solid value on the board. The Clippers are 20-22 away from home on the campaign.

 
The LA Clippers will face off against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on April 21. After a thrilling Game 1 that saw the Clippers come out on top with a 113-107 victory, both teams will be looking to make adjustments and come out with a win in Game 2.

The odds for this game currently favor the Clippers, who are listed as 4.5-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is set at 221.5. The Clippers have been one of the top teams in the Western Conference all season, led by superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. They have a deep roster with plenty of scoring options and a strong defense that can shut down opponents.

On the other hand, the Nuggets are a talented team led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. They have plenty of scoring options as well, with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. capable of putting up big numbers on any given night. However, the Nuggets will need to improve their defense if they want to compete with the Clippers in this series.

In terms of picks and predictions for Game 2, many experts are leaning towards the Clippers to come out on top once again. Their depth and defensive prowess give them an edge over the Nuggets, who may struggle to keep up with their scoring. However, the Nuggets are a resilient team and could bounce back with a strong performance in Game 2.

Ultimately, this matchup between the Clippers and Nuggets promises to be an exciting one. Both teams have the talent and firepower to put on a show, and fans can expect a competitive game with plenty of highlight-reel plays. Game 2 will be crucial for both teams, as they look to gain an advantage in the series and move one step closer to advancing in the playoffs.