Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 1, 2024

The Denver Nuggets will travel to Southern California to take on the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome for Sunday's late-night game. This should be an exciting game between a Nuggets team that boasts one of the most potent offenses in the NBA and a talented Clippers team that is led by former MVP James Harden.

The Nuggets (10-7) have shown glimpses of the 2023 team that went on to win a championship, but Michael Malone knows that his players will need to find some consistency if they hope to have any shot of working their way up the standings. Statement wins against Oklahoma City and the Dallas Mavericks have been the high points of the season so far for Denver.

After a poor start to the season where they won just two of their first six games, the Clippers (12-9) have hit their stride. Despite some serious injuries to the lineup, Tyronn Lue's team has won six of their last eight games and worked their way back into playoff position.

The Clippers have been extremely streaky this season with a five-game and four-game winning streak over the first 21 games of the campaign.

Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers preview, betting tips, odds, and prediction

LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac collides with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic at Ball Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn

The LA Clippers will host the Denver Nuggets at the Intuit Dome on Sunday, Dec. 1, and the game is set to tip off at 10:00 p.m. EST (7:00 p.m. PST).

The game will be shown locally on FanDuel Sports Network-SoCal and Altitude. Fans who are looking to stream the game will also be able to view it on NBA League Pass and fuboTV.

Moneyline: Nuggets (-140), Clippers (+120)

Spread: Nuggets -2.5 (-115), Clippers +2.5 (-105)

Total (Over/Under): Over 222.5 (-110), Under 222.5 (-110)

Note: All odds are subject to change closer to tip-off. The listed odds are based on information available at the time of writing.

Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers preview

The Denver Nuggets have been inconsistent over the course of the season so far. Take away Denver's five-game win streak between Nov. 2 and Nov. 10 and the 2023 NBA champions have managed back-to-back wins just once this season. Michael Malone's team has a 5-3 away record and is coming off 1a 22-103 win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

One positive for the Denver Nuggets remains their dynamic offense, which continues to put up solid numbers. Denver ranks second in the West with 117.8 points per game, behind only the Memphis Grizzlies (121.0). Nikola Jokic has led the way with 29.7 ppg, but the Nuggets have five other players who are averaging more than 12 ppg this season (Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon and Russell Westbrook).

Denver goes into the game with Aaron Gordon, Vlatko Cancer and DaRon Holmes II all sidelined due to injuries. Forward Peyton Watson is listed as a game-time decision.

Over the last two weeks, the LA Clippers have maneuvered through a tricky schedule extremely well. The Clippers have won six of their last eight games and if not for a slender 1-point defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, it would be seven wins in eight.

The team has a 7-4 record at the Intuit Dome. A stingy defense has been the key for the Clippers this year, with the team holding their opponents to just 106.3 points per game.

The loss of guard Norman Powell to a hamstring injury was a major blow for the organization. Powell has missed the last six games and is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Nuggets. He currently leading the Los Angeles roster with 23.3 ppg.

Playing without Powell and six-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard would be a challenge for a Clippers roster that will turn to James Harden to carry the offense in the absence of two of their top players.

Guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Kobe Brown are also out with injuries. P.J. Tucker will not be with the team moving forward per a report from Sports Illustrated.

Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers betting tips

LA Clippers guard James Harden handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr at Toyota Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic leads the league in rebounds with 13.1 per game. The Serbian superstar has averaged more than that in only one season previously, when he finished with 13.8 rpg over the course of the 2021-22 campaign.

Jokic has logged double-digits in rebounds in eight of his last nine games. Expect him to record more than the 11.5 rebounds set for him at the Intuit Dome.

If Powell is not healthy, all eyes will be on former MVP James Harden to lead the offense. Harden is averaging 21.5 ppg and 8.8 apg and with several key injuries to the Clipper lineup, he will likely take on a bigger role on Sunday. The over/under is set at 22.5 points for Harden and the talented scorer should be able to pass that mark.

Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers predictions

Los Angeles has been impressive over the last two weeks but it is hard to see how they can overcome a talented Nuggets roster that includes Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook.

The issue for the LA Clippers remains an offense that is averaging just 108.5 ppg this season. Jokic continues to put up big numbers week after week and the dominant center has recorded 30 or more points in five of his last six outings. The Denver Nuggets offense will likely be too strong for the Clippers, and we can expect to see Denver win by more than the 2.5-point spread.