Clippers vs. Nuggets Betting Odds & Predictions 1/9/22

Los Angeles Clippers (22-23 SU, 20-25-0 ATS) vs. Denver Nuggets (22-20 SU, 18-24-0
ATS)

When: Wednesday, Jan. 19th, 2022, 10:00 pm (ET)

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: LAC +7.5/DEN -7.5 (Opened at 7.5 at Bovada – Check out their live betting platform! It’s extremely user friendly and not clunky like most other books! They’ll give you a 50% bonus up to $250 as well!)

Total: 212.5 (Opened at 212.5)

Money Line: LAC +250/DEN -300

Power Rating: DEN -6

Probable Starting Lineups

Los Angeles Clippers: PG Reggie Jackson, SG Amir Coffey,
SF Marcus Morris, PF Nicolas Batum, C Ivica Zubac

Denver Nuggets: PG Monte Morris, SG Will Barton, SF Aaron Gordon, PF Jeff Green, C Nikola
Jokic

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Clippers: F Justise Winslow *Probable* (Conditioning), G Luke Kennard
*Questionable* (Conditioning), F Paul George *Out* (Elbow), F Isaiah Hartenstein *Probable8
(Ankle), G Jason Preston *Out* (Foot), F Kawhi Leonard *Out* (Knee)

Denver Nuggets: F Vlatko Cancar *Out* (Foot), Austin Rivers *Out* (Non-Covid Illness),
F JaMychal Green *Out* (Covid), G Michael Porter Jr. *Out* (Back), G Jamal Murray *Out*
(Knee)

Recent Form

The Los Angeles Clippers head into this matchup with the Nuggets holding a 22-23 record and
sit 9th in the Western Conference. After keeping afloat for a good part of the season, the
Clippers have been unable to hang in with the high-scoring Western Conference without Kawhi
Leonard and, now for the past few weeks, Paul George. Though overall inconsistent offensively,
the Clippers dropped 139 points on the Pacers in their last game on Monday, but it ended up being
a shootout game as they allowed 133 points defensively. Through nine games this month, the
Clippers are 4-5 and kick off an eight-game road trip tonight, which will bring them into
February before they return home. Not having George and Leonard on the floor can be a good
scapegoat for their sub-par defense, but as an offense, there are two concerning areas that I’m
targeting in this game. One being their first-half offense, where they are 4th to last with 51.8
points. Going against the Nuggets, this game could be out of reach at half as Denver is 1st in
the league for 1st half points with 57.7. The other area that has been their struggle is plainly
simple, their shooting efficiency. The Clippers are 44% from the field, which puts them in the
bottom handful of teams in the league and is concerning against one of the top defenses in the
NBA. Despite his absence for almost half the season, Paul George leads the team in scoring with
24.7 PPG. As a team, the Clippers are 26th in scoring offense, averaging 104.9 PPG. Defensively
they’ve fared better, holding the 10th spot as they give up 106.0 PPG.

The Denver Nuggets enter this game with a 22-20 record and sit 6th in the Western Conference.
After winning four of five games, the Nuggets fell short to the Utah Jazz last time on the court.
After being known solely for their defense this season, the Nuggets are proving to be a complete
team as their offense has come alive over the last week. Denver averaged 125.0 PPG in their last
three games and have surpassed the 120-point mark four times this month already. A silver lining
to their offense as well is that after expecting to be out the rest of the season after his back
surgery, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray are on pace to be back by April. If the team can
keep above a .500 record until their star guards return, the Nuggets could be a team to keep an
eye on come postseason. Aside from the mismatches mentioned above, another area in favor of the
Nuggets in this game is their ability to slow down the game by allowing 86.0 field goal attempts
per game, which is 6th best in the NBA. Against a Clippers team that only has a chance if the
game can become a shootout, keeping the ball away from them and controlling the pace should give
them a great chance to get the home win. Nikola Jokic leads the team in every category and is
averaging a line of 25-14-7 this season. Despite their recent scoring surge, Denver still sits
23rd offensively as they average 107.0 PPG. Defensively they sit inside the top 10, with the 9th
best scoring defense as they allow 105.9 PPG.

Clippers on the Road

The Clippers come into Denver with a below-average, 7-11 record on the road this season.
Already with a struggling offense with their missing pieces, hitting the road has shown a decline
in most of their offensive stats. For starters, the Clippers are averaging a 3rd worst 102.6 PPG
on the road by shooting just 46% from the floor. Barring a total defensive collapse from the
Nuggets, the Clippers may be in for a long night should Denver control a slow-paced affair and
keep the ball away from them. For bettors, we’ve seen much of the same when it comes to the
spread as the Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games and 1-5 ATS as a road underdog as
well. I don’t see much of an upside to this team until they can get healthy and at least get
Paul George back to give them a shot to stay relevant in the West.

Nuggets at Home

After what was a slow start at home for the Nuggets this season, this team has come alive
lately by dominating on both ends of the court with their offense surge. While an 11-8 home
record isn’t eye-popping, hosting sub-par offenses has been their specialty as of late,
allowing them to run away with games in the second half. Bettors have also seen more success by
standing in Denver’s corner in recent games as well. Hosting teams with a losing road record,
the Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games. Pound for pound, the Nuggets are undoubtedly
the better team in this game and host a Clippers team who is traveling on just one day of rest as
the Nuggets continue their homestand with two days of rest going into this game.

More Picks: Charlotte vs. Boston Pick ATS & Top Prop Bets 1/19/22 >>>

The Historicals

Wednesday night’s game will be the third time these teams meet this season. The Clippers won
in their most recent matchup just eight days ago, though the Nuggets took the first game back in
December. Going back to last season, the Nuggets have won three of the last four games.

How the Public is Betting the Clippers vs. Nuggets

64% are betting the Nuggets against the spread.

52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 212.5.

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The Los Angeles Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
• The Los Angeles Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
• The Denver Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. teams with a losing road
  record.
• Under is 4-0 in the Clippers’ last 4 games as an underdog.
• Over is 4-0 in the Nuggets’ last 4 home games.
• Under is 10-4-1 in the last 15 games between the Clippers and Nuggets playing in
  Denver.

Collin’s Pick for Clippers/Nuggets

This Western Conference matchup features two teams just a game and a half apart from each
other. While this is a close margin in the standings, the Nuggets are trending up, and the
Clippers are trending down with holes in their lineup. The Clippers come in with an admirable
defense, but their offense isn’t doing enough to consistently win them games. The Nuggets have
prided themselves on their defense all season and, as of late, have an offense that can put up
130 points on anyone. The Nuggets are the better-talented team in this game and have the rest and
slow pace to keep the momentum in their favor from start to finish. Take the Denver Nuggets to
cover the 7.5-point spread. Bet your NBA picks for FREE this week by scoring a 100% real cash bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $500 at GTBets Sportsbook!