With the NBA regular season now winding down, the teams taking part in the bubble now have a very clear idea of what needs to be done over the next few days. Some teams are already in a position where their current seeding cannot change, which means that the next couple of games are really nothing more than a glorified warm-up ahead of the playoffs. For the remining teams, particularly those sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, the next couple of games will decide whether they stay in Orlando or go home. Let’s preview one of the upcoming matches so you can make your bets against their NBA odds.
NBA LA Clippers Vs Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
It’s going to be an exciting finish to the regular season and we may yet se some drama at the top of the Western Conference, as both the LA Clippers and the Denver Nuggets still have a shot at the #2 seed. That, though, could be decided tonight as a win for the Clippers will clinch them the #2 spot. These are two teams that could well have a shot at going to the NBA Finals, so this should be a fun one to watch. The Clippers come into this game favored by 4 ½, with the point total set at 229.
Why bet on the LA Clippers
For the record, Kawhi Leonard has stated that it really doesn’t matter whether the Clippers finish in the #2 or #3 spot, but that does not mean that they won’t be going all out to get the win here and put the matter to rest. Like a lot of the better teams in the NBA, the Clippers have been a little wobbly since returning to action, going 3-3 SU in their 6 games. One of the reasons why they may not care where they land is that they have been very good against teams from the West, going 9-3 SU in their last 12. They have also been a very solid pick against the spread, covering in 10 of their last 14 games this season. They are in as the road team in this one and are a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Why bet on the Denver Nuggets
Even if the Denver Nuggets get the win here, they still need to win another and hope that the Clippers lose their final game if they are to get the #2 seed. Realistically, this is more about getting a win against one of the best teams in the West ahead of the start of the playoffs. Like the Clippers, the Nuggets have gone 3-3 in the restart, but they are coming into this game having lost 2 of their last 3, with the last lost at the hand of the Los Angeles Lakers. On the positive side of things, at least from a betting standpoint, Denver is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games. While it is a little odd to be talking about home form in this current setting, it should be noted that the Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 at home to the Clippers.
- When: Wednesday, August 12 at 9 PM EST
- Where: Wide World of Sports, Orlando
- Clippers Vs Nuggets Live: ESPN
- Money Lines: Clippers -225 / Nuggets +185
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
I think we are looking at a close one here, much closer than the point spread suggests. I do like the Clippers to win, but I am on the Nuggets to cover and the OVER.
Pick: LA Clippers 120 Denver Nuggets 118
