- The Clippers visit the Nuggets in a Friday night Western Conference battle
- Los Angeles is a 5.5-point road underdog in the latest Clippers vs Nuggets odds
- Read on for Clippers vs Nuggets predictions, picks, odds and injury updates for Friday
The Los Angeles Clippers will look to bounce back from two straight losses when they take on the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
Denver returns from a lengthy break following a 141-111 road win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, led by Nikola Jokic’s 48 points. The Nuggets have been inconsistent this season, though, failing to win consecutive games in over a month.
The latest Clippers vs Nuggets odds show Los Angeles as 5.5-point road underdogs, with a total of 227.5 points. Can the Clippers cover the spread against a Nuggets squad that has struggled to string together wins?
Let’s break down my Clippers vs Nuggets picks and predictions for Friday, December 13.
Clippers vs Nuggets Predictions
The Clippers come into this one looking to shake off a two-game skid, with recent losses to Houston and Minnesota putting a damper on what had been a solid multi-game win streak. But there’s reason for optimism in LA’s camp.
The Clips were without James Harden (groin) in their 117-106 loss to the Rockets, forcing Norman Powell to shoulder more of the scoring load with 17 points. The good news? Harden got through a full practice Wednesday and should be good to go Friday night.
Another boost for LA has been Kawhi Leonard’s return to practice this week after his lengthy knee rehab. While he’s still a ways away from game action, Leonard’s return to team activities gives the Clippers a nice morale boost.
Kawhi Leonard participated in Clippers practice today.
“He laced up his shoes, breathed heavily, and walked back to the locker room.”
(Via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/sbo1vRQdoY
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) December 11, 2024
When this roster is clicking, LA has one of the most complete lineups in the West. They’re currently 5th in scoring defense (107.4 PPG), anchored by Ivica Zubac’s presence inside (12.2 boards per game) and the wing defense of seven-foot Kai Jones.
On offense, they’ve got six guys averaging double figures, with Powell leading the way at 23.6 PPG while Harden dishes out 8.5 assists in more of a floor general role.
Denver’s inconsistency at Ball Arena (6-4) makes laying 5.5 points a tough ask. The Nuggets are just 3-6-1 ATS at home and have struggled as bigger favorites, going 0-4 ATS when laying 5.5 or more.
Back from the break #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/3SJPWpa879
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 13, 2024
The wild card here is Jamal Murray’s status. The dynamic guard is questionable with a hamstring issue. If he sits, there’s even more weight on Jokic’s shoulders to generate offense. While Michael Porter Jr. (19.0 PPG) can fill it up, he doesn’t create for others like Murray.
I’m rolling with the Clippers +5.5 here. They’re getting healthier, defend at a high level, and have enough scoring punch to keep this tight. Their 7-3 ATS road record doesn’t hurt either.
For the total, I’m leaning over 227.5 points. Denver’s offense is top-5 in the NBA at 118.7 PPG, and while LA defends well, they’ve hit the over in 3 of their last 4. This should be a back-and-forth affair between two teams with plenty of firepower.
Clippers vs Nuggets Picks:
- Clippers +5.5 (-105)
- Lean: OVER 227.5 (-115)
Clippers vs Nuggets Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clippers | +5.5 (-105) | +190 | O 227.5 (-115) |
| Nuggets | -5.5 (-115) | -225 | U 227.5 (-105) |
The Clippers enter this matchup as 5.5-point road underdogs at ESPN Sportsbook. The line has moved from Clippers +6.5 to +5.5, indicating some sharp money backing the road team. LA backers can get the Clips at -105 odds to cover the spread, while Denver sits at -115 to cover as home favorites.
On the moneyline, the Clippers are +190 underdogs to win outright. A $100 bet on LA returns $190 in profit if they pull the upset. The Nuggets are -225 moneyline favorites, so it would take a $225 bet to win $100 on Denver.
The total is at 227.5 points, with the over juiced slightly to -115 and the under coming back at -105. That signals some early action favoring a higher-scoring game.
Odds as of December 13, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Claim the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on Friday Night NBA basketball.
Clippers vs Nuggets Injury Report
| Team | Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | Aaron Gordon | Probable | Right calf strain |
| Nuggets | Jamal Murray | Questionable | Right hamstring inflammation |
| Nuggets | Christian Braun | Probable | Right quad contusion |
| Nuggets | Dario Saric | Out | Left ankle sprain |
| Clippers | Kawhi Leonard | Out | Knee injury recovery |
| Clippers | Terance Mann | Out | Left middle finger fracture |
| Clippers | Derrick Jones Jr. | Out | Right hamstring strain |
| Clippers | P.J. Tucker | Out | Away from team |
The Nuggets are dealing with a few key injuries but could get a boost if Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun return as expected. Jamal Murray remains questionable with right hamstring inflammation, while Dario Saric is sidelined with an ankle sprain.
For the Clippers, they remain without Kawhi Leonard as he continues his knee injury recovery. They’ll also be missing Terance Mann (finger fracture) and Derrick Jones Jr. (hamstring strain), while P.J. Tucker remains away from the team. The shortened rotation could mean more minutes for the supporting cast against Denver.
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The highly anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets on Friday, December 13th is sure to be a thrilling game for basketball fans. Both teams have been performing well this season, making this game a must-watch for any NBA enthusiast.
In terms of predictions, the Clippers are currently favored to win this game. They have a strong roster led by superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who have been playing at an elite level. The Clippers also have a solid supporting cast with players like Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, making them a formidable opponent for any team.
On the other hand, the Nuggets have also been playing well this season and should not be underestimated. Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets have a talented roster that can compete with the best teams in the league. However, they will need to bring their A-game if they want to come out on top against the Clippers.
In terms of injuries, both teams have been relatively healthy leading up to this game. The Clippers have had some minor injuries throughout the season, but nothing that should significantly impact their performance in this game. The Nuggets have also been fortunate in terms of injuries, with no major players sidelined at this time.
Overall, this game is shaping up to be a competitive and exciting matchup between two talented teams. While the Clippers are favored to win, the Nuggets have the potential to pull off an upset if they play to their full potential. Fans can expect a high-scoring and intense game that could go down to the wire. Be sure to tune in on Friday, December 13th to see which team comes out on top in this thrilling showdown.