Denver has locked up a playoff berth and looks well on pace to a top four seed in the Western Conference playoffs and L.A. tries to get a step closer to the same in the April 4th Nuggets at Clippers betting matchup. Los Angeles (47-28) has a two game lead over Dallas for the #4 seed and home court advantage in the first round of the postseason.
Denver (53-23) is tied with the Timberwolves for the top spot in the West and bring a two game win streak into Thursday night’s matchup. The Nuggets were the #1 seed last year for the first time in franchise history and rode that to a championship so it’s a goal. Denver is a -4 point road favorite here as they look for their third win vs. the Clippers in four tries this season.
Why the Nuggets Have Value at -4
Denver has taken two of three from the Clippers this season, including splitting two previous games in Los Angeles. The Nuggets just had a 29 point trashing of Cleveland (#3 team in the East) on Sunday and then beat the worst team in the West San Antonio 110-105 on Tuesday night.
As with anything for Denver you have to talk about Nikola Jokic, and he is locked in lately. The 2X MVP just dropped a 42 point, 16 rebound line vs. the Spurs after a 26/18/16 triple double vs. the Cavs. Jokic didn’t play vs the Clippers in the November 27th win, but has averaged 27/15.5/9.5 vs L.A. in the other two contests.
The Clippers are missing 23.7 ppg on Thursday night as Kawhi Leonard is officially listed out with a knee injury which is likely a major reason why Denver is a road favorite. Los Angeles had a three game win streak as Leonard missed the game on Tuesday and his absence was noticeable in a 109-95 loss to the Kings.
Why the Clippers Have Value at +4
Sure the L.A. offense looked bad on Tuesday, but maybe it was less due to Leonard’s absence as it was the Clippers wrapping up a four game East Coast/West Coast road trip that included wins in Philadelphia, Orlando, and Charlotte before the defeat in Sacramento. Los Angeles has gone a respectable 3-4 without Leonard this year.
Leonard is ruled out, but Denver is facing their own share of injuries with Jamal Murray being out since March 21st with a knee ailment as well. The Nuggets are 4-2 without Murray, but three of those wins came against the bottom feeders of the conference (Spurs, TrailBlazers, Grizzlies) and they were held under 100 points in their two losses.
Jokic (hip) and Aaron Gordon (knee) are also on the injury report for Denver but they are likely to play. The Clippers are healthy (besides Leonard) and Paul George just dropped 40+ over the weekend vs. Charlotte while Russell Westbrook scored 20 on Tuesday vs. the Kings with a slight minute increase.
Free April 4th Nuggets at Clippers Betting Pick
This looks like a good spot for Los Angeles to get one. Leonard is out – but so is Murray – and Denver is on the road for the first time in nearly two weeks while the Clippers are back home for the first time in 10 days. L.A. evens up the season series before a potential meeting in the playoffs.
Free Pick: Clippers +4
