The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are set to clash in a highly anticipated first-round series.
Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets' superstar center, will aim to dominate the paint and facilitate Denver's offense, while the Clippers will rely on the veteran leadership of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to counter Denver's attack.
Continue below for our Nuggets vs. Clippers predictions, picks, and odds for the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
Nuggets vs. Clippers First Round Series Betting Odds
- Series Winner: Clippers -115, Nuggets -105
- Series Spread: Nuggets -1.5 games (+205), Clippers +1.5 games (-265)
Nuggets vs. Clippers NBA Playoffs Predictions, Picks
Brandon Anderson isn’t high on either of these teams long-term—but he’s got conviction on one thing: if the Clippers are going to win, they’re going to win fast.
💥 Best Bet: Clippers -2.5 Games (+425), Split Across Sweep and 5 Games
“Let me just explain the best bet: Clippers in five is +900, Clippers sweep is +1800… Clippers -2.5, so that’s five or less, is +425… I can just take both my bets and it’s +550 basically.”
Brandon isn’t overconfident in L.A.—he’s is doubting Denver and looking to maximize return if things break right.
“If I want the Clippers here, I want them early and I want them fast.”
⛓ Kawhi or Bust (So Bet Before He Breaks)
“The longer it goes, the more Jokic can do Jokic things, and the more Kawhi can turn back into broken pieces of Kawhi.”
This bet isn’t about LA’s sustainability. It’s about short-term confidence in Kawhi Leonard—and concern that he won’t hold up for a long series.
“If we get to game six or game seven, Kawhi probably broke into pieces again and I don’t want the bet anymore.”
🔎 Don’t Love the Clippers—Just Hate the Nuggets More
“I just don’t believe in the Nuggets. I think they’re a one-man team.”
Brandon thinks Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and MPJ have all regressed since the 2023 title run:
“They’re worse versions since they won the title. Jokic has been every bit as good, maybe better, and everything around him has gotten slowly worse.”
📉 Long-Term Futures? Nope.
“I’m not taking Clippers futures. I’m not even really confidently taking them in the series.”
This isn’t about the Clippers being a juggernaut. It’s a short-window value bet before reality catches up.
📊 Prop Angle: Kawhi Steals? Jokic Rebounds?
“Kawhi steals I don’t mind at +275. He’s averaged two a game in the playoffs for like a decade.”
“Even odds on Jokic rebounds feels like I should take that… But Zubac had 13 and 15 rebounds against Jokic this year.”
Brandon leans toward props but is hesitant, especially with health/injury concerns.
Brandon’s Nuggets vs. Clippers Betting Card
✅ Clippers in 5 (+900)
✅ Clippers sweep (+1800)
✅ Combined: +550 if either hits
🚨 Avoids full series bets due to Kawhi risk
🔍 Watching Kawhi steals (+275) and Jokic boards (EVEN) props
🧠 Matt Moore’s Series Prediction: Nuggets in 7 (+375) — A Math Play
By Matt Moore
Matt Moore’s not blindly riding the Nuggets. He’s talked himself in and out of this matchup “1,700 times,” and still lands on a cautious, value-based approach: Denver in seven games at +375.
🎯 Best Bet: Nuggets in 7 (+375)
“So I think what I’m gonna do instead is I’m gonna take Nuggets 4–3 at +375. I’m gonna take Nuggets in seven.”
Matt doesn’t think either team runs away with it. He sees each side’s strengths and weaknesses canceling out until Jokic can close.
🧮 It All Adds Up to Seven
“I think Kawhi is worth 1 to 1.5 games… Nuggets defense is worth 1.5. Jokic is worth 2. Clippers offense is worth 1 for Denver. So I get to six here pretty evenly.”
That math gives him a 3–3 tie on paper. So he’s betting the seventh goes to Jokic, the best player in the series.
🔁 Everyone Fading the Nuggets? He’s Fading That
“I did VSiN yesterday and they were like, ‘Matt, I haven’t met anybody who likes the Nuggets here.’ I haven’t talked to a single person.”
He’s not betting with the crowd—he’s pushing against the market’s anti-Denver sentiment.
🔎 Matchups that Matt Likes (and Hates)
“Aaron Gordon on Kawhi Leonard? That’s a very good matchup… But it just doesn’t matter. Kawhi is going to rise up and hit jumpers.”
“I think Peyton Watson is going to have to play a lot in this series… Christian Braun overs, I’m aggressively shopping those.”
Matt’s worried about MPJ defensively, believes Braun and Watson will be vital, and likes Brown’s cuts vs. LA’s off-ball D.
📉 Still Skeptical of Clippers Offense
“They don’t have a dynamic pick-and-roll offense. That’s why their offense sucked this year.”
“I don’t believe in the Clippers offense. I still don’t. It’s been bad all year.”
Despite LA’s metrics, Matt thinks their iso-heavy style won’t hold up across seven games vs. a smart defense.
Matt's Nuggets vs. Clippers Betting Card
✅ Nuggets in 7 (+375)
🔁 Series-leader prop: Christian Braun overs
🚫 Fade MPJ impact (unders)
⚖️ A lean, not a lock: “I’m not 100% on this. I’m not even sure I’m 60%.”
