After the best Game 1 first round game of the weekend, the Nuggets and LA Clippers are back at it for Game 2 at Ball Arena tonight in Denver
LA lost a 15-point first half lead, and (checks notes) veteran guard Russell Westbrook came off the bench to make big plays down the stretch for the Nuggets, who prevailed 112-110 in overtime. All credit to the oft-maligned Westbrook for his big three-pointer at the end of regulation and his defensive play at the end.
The fifth-seeded Clippers entered the game having won eight in a row, but 20 turnovers and foul trouble for James Harden were big issues for them Saturday.
Clippers vs. Nuggets Odds
LA covered the three-point spread in Game 1 — just barely — and is a one-point favorite for Game 2 tonight. The Clippers are now 47-35-1 against the spread.
Denver is 38-44-1 against the spread, but 48-34-1 over/under. Five of the last seven meetings between these two teams have hit the under. The total for tonight is 216.5. I am feeling the under. The only reason the two teams hit the over Saturday was because of overtime.
The Nuggets have won the last three meetings, but before that, it was all Clippers. LA had won four straight, all in relatively close games, while the wins by the Nuggets were by double figures.
Denver has won their last eight first round games at home.
Clippers vs. Nuggets Prediction
This is where betting and making predictions become a lot of fun. If you watched Game 1, you could gain so many insights.
I saw the Nuggets get a good-but-not-great game from mega star Nikola Jokic. I saw them play Jamal Murray for a whopping 48 minutes.
I saw the Clippers turn the ball over 20 times, but they controlled the play for long stretches. They led by 15 points in the first half.
After the game, Westbrook, a former Clipper, said he knew that final inbounds play and his job was to mess things up on defense (not his exact words).
Then it becomes What do you believe? Did the Nuggets still win despite not getting a great game from Jokic, and does that mean good things for them, because you know he’s good for a forty-burger somewhere along here? Or did the Clippers blow it? And there’s no way Russell Westbrook has that big an impact again?
Game 2 will be all about adjustments, but neither team has to do anything drastic; just execute better.
Clippers vs. Nuggets Pick
I’m in the camp that LA won’t play that badly again down the stretch. The Clippers had 20 turnovers, and I can’t see that happening again, and I can’t see Westbrook coming up big again.
LA was playing great basketball entering the playoffs. Remember, Denver still has to feel shaky with interim coach David Adelman in charge. Give the Nuggets credit for showing the resolve to come back Saturday, but I don’t think it happens tonight. I’ll ride with the Clippers.
The pick: Clippers -1 (-110 at Bet365)
