Should the Denver Nuggets take care of business against what’s proven to be a disinterested Los Angeles Lakers squad on Monday night, this Wednesday night’s tilt against the Los Angeles Clippers could have huge playoff ramifications with the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference on the line. So long as the Clippers get the job done against the Nets on Sunday, it will become a reality. Each of these teams have posted winning 3-2 SU marks at online sportsbooks in the bubble, but the Clippers have covered four of their five played games against the NBA odds while the Nuggs have gone 3-2 ATS. The regular season rivalry was split with both squads logging double-digit wins in their own arenas; the O/U also split with an average of 226.5 points scored. The home team has come out on top in each of the last five meetings, so it will be interesting to see how each fare against one another on a neutral floor.
This game will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN. You can bet on NBA Odds at BookMaker.eu the remainder of the season.
Futures Odds Analysis
Regardless of the fact that Denver has ultimately succeeded throughout its stay in the bubble, Mark Malone’s squad’s odds of winning the NBA title have fattened up since the restart. They invaded Orlando with a +2300 return on investment should they win it all. After logging 3-2 SU and ATS marks through its first five bubble games, LA’s odds of winning the NBA championship currently check in at 30-1. As for the Clippers, Doc Rivers’ troops have been lined one of the favorites ever since inking Kawhi Leonard to a contract nearly a year ago to the day. Their odds of winning it all have hovered around +300 all season long; they currently offer up a +290 return on a $100 investment.
Head-To-Head Results
These clubs first ran into one another back on January 12 in the Mile High City where the Nuggets scored the 114-104 home win and cover as short 1-point favorites. The 218 combined points weren’t enough to surpass the closing 221-point O/U. Kawhi, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell combined for 81 points but it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced Nuggets scoring attack led by Nikola Jokic’s 20 points and 15 rebounds. The rematch in Tinseltown was all LA with the home team shooting a scorching hot 54 percent from the field to log the runaway 132-103 win and cover as 7-point favorites; the 235 combined points surpassed the closing 220.5-point total with ease with 55 or more points logged each quarter.
Injuries
Harrell is yet to suit up for the Clippers as he deals with a personal issue away from the bubble. Patrick Beverley suited up for LA in its first three restart games, but has missed the last two with a calf strain. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s tilt with the Nets. Be sure to check the injury reports to see if the defensive stalwart will be reinserted back into the starting lineup. Also keep an eye open to see if Leonard is back on the hardwood after sitting Saturday’s matchup against Portland out due to personal maintenance. Troy Daniels and his 4.5 points per game is the only Denver player currently listed as questionable for this tilt. The trio of Will Barton, Gary Harris and Vlatko Cancar are all listed as out indefinitely.
Matchup to Watch
The key to Denver’s success in the first meeting was its ability to be productive from beyond the arc. As a team, the Nuggets converted 11-of-25 long range shots for a 44 percent success rate. Jokic, Harris and Monte Morris combined for seven makes. In the 29 point loss, Denver only converted 36 percent of its 3-ball attempts and was forced to loft 25 of them due to being down by such a substantial margin over the course of the game. Should you decide to live bet the third meeting between these teams, make it a point to see how Denver is faring from deep. If successful, they’ll be in it all the way through. If not, it’s going to be tough to hang against a Clippers squad looking to lock down the West’s No. 2 seed.
NBA Odds Pick
With two full days to prepare for this matchup and the Nuggets on just 24 hours rest, I can’t help but think a determined Clippers side will be the one to back on the NBA odds on Wednesday night. Denver has a nice team no doubt, but can you really say with a straight face that it’s championship caliber? That is without question when it comes to the Clippers who just showed how deep a team they are by knocking off the win hungry Portland Trail Blazers with Leonard riding the pine. Too much needs to go right for Denver to win this game. LA’s got the better offense and by far the better defense. Lay the points with the Clippers and don’t be afraid to live bet them at readjusted prices should Denver get out to a fast start. LA will figure it out and go on to log the full game win and cover regardless.
Prediction: Clippers 116, Nuggets 104
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