Clippers vs. Nuggets | NBA Analysis, Odds, & Best Bets (4/21)

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and today we’re here to talk about Game 2 between the Clippers and Nuggets.

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page, here. 

Clippers vs. Nuggets | Series Information

Matchup Information

• Location: Ball Arena; Denver, Colorado
• Date: Monday, April 21st, 2025
• Tipoff: 10:00 PM EST

(5) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (4) Denver Nuggets | Regular Season Matchups

• Clippers (103) @ Nuggets (126) – 1/08/25
• Clippers (98) @ Nuggets (120) – 12/13/24
• Nuggets (122) @ Clippers (126) – 12/01/24
• Clippers (109) @ Nuggets (104) – 10/26/24

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Clippers vs. Nuggets| Game 1 Recap

The Nuggets look to keep this from being a lost season.

Result: Nuggets (112) – Clippers (110)

The Clippers and Nuggets are two teams with an abundance of postseason experience, both rosters are stacked with talent and both teams came to fight in Game 1. It was James Harden that led the way for the the Clippers, scoring 32 points to go along with 11 assists and 6 rebounds.

Jokic finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 12 assists in their overtime win, playing 46 of the potential 53 minutes of Game 1. The Nuggets had 3 players score 20 or more and 5 players reach double digits. On the other side, it was Ivica Zubac and Kawhi Leonard helping to lighten the scoring load, each adding 21 and 22 points, respectively.

Nuggets interim Head Coach decided to close the game with Russ over Michael Porter Jr., a move that ended up proving key with Russ scoring 9 of his 15 points in the 4th quarter.

Instant Classic

The two teams exchanged blows throughout the game, 11 lead changes, 7 ties and the Nuggets biggest lead of the game would be just 5-points. Denver shot just 44% from the field, 33% from beyond the arc and 78% from the free throw line; despite that they managed to win Game 1.

The Clippers shot 50% from the field, 35% from 3 but turned the ball over 20 times. The Nuggets turned those 20 turnovers into 29 points the other way and it’s the biggest reason the Nuggets snuck away with a 2-point win.

Leonard finished the game with 7 turnovers of his own, playing 41 minutes and scoring just 22 points; despite the 60% shooting night. Zubac was utilized perfectly, scoring 21 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and shooting 66% from the field.

Our Best Bets in Game 2 between the Pistons and Knicks

Ivica Zubac o32.5 PRA (-120 via BetOnline)

Playing with James Harden will forever make you look good on a basketball court. Zubac looks like an All-NBA Center this year and it’s just another testament to how much fun playing with James Harden can be. Zubac is averaging 19.7 PPG in his L20 games, in addition to 13.0 RPG and 3.2 APG.

Zubz played 39 minutes in Game 1, scored 21 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and 6 offensive rebounds. With Nikola Jokic on the court, the Clippers best matchup is Zubac and they’ll need him out there for as long as he can go. He was able to put preassure on the Nuggets by making Jokic defend and my crashing the offensive glass for 2nd chance scoring opportunities.

Zubz cleared this line in 13 of his L20 games, averaging 21.4 rebounding chances per game and even adding 4 offensive rebounds per contest. He’s having his best season of his career and now in the postseason, the Clippers will need him to maintain that same level of play.

Nikola Jokic o9.5 Assists (+125 via BetOnline)

The Joker has forced MVP voters to change their tune.

Jokic played 46 minutes in Game 1 and had 22 potential assists. He made 87 passes, scored 29 points and his team barely came away with the win. The Nuggets have long depended on the 3-time MVP, but this season more than ever. After the Nuggets fired Mike Malone with 3-games left in the regular season, the message was clear; we can win without him.

It’s now Game 2 of their first round series with the Clippers and Jokic knows the importance of protecting home court. Tonight against Los Angeles, look for him to set the tone.

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