Nuggets vs Clippers Prediction & Player Prop of the Game: Can the Joker-less Nuggets hang with Kawhi and the Clippers?
Written by: Daniel Collins
Last Update: Fri Jan 13, 2023, 3:00 pm ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
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The Denver Nuggets, the top of the Western Conference right now, roll into Crytpo.com Arena tonight to take on Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.
In this Friday night Western Conference showdown on ESPN, who will come out on top?
Here is my analysis, my Best Bet and a Must Bet Player Prop!
Joker set up for another MVP?
The Top team in the West are led once again by the Nikola Jokic, the MVP two years in a row and the Mid season frontrunner for his 3rd straight title.
The is almost averaging a Triple Double and had the Nuggets sitting atop the West at 28-13.
Denver is 8-2 in their last 10 games and have also bagged 4 straight games, including a 19 point drubbing of the banged up Suns in midweek.
The Nuggets took care of the Clippers earlier this month as well at home, winning 122-91 in what was never really a close game.
As I was writing this piece, the Nuggets ruled out Nikola Jokic for this game.
Can the Nuggets hang around tonight on the road without their MVP against the Kawhi-led Clippers?
Kawhi is Heating Up
With Paul George set to miss yet another game due to a Hamstring injury, it will be the Kawhi Leonard show yet again.
Leonard has been playing fantastic the past 2 weeks, averaging 23 PPG, 6 RPG and 4 APG over his last 5 games.
He has also dropped 33 and 29 in his last 2 games and will look to continue his scoring success tonight against the Nuggets.
In this Western Conference shootout tonight, who will come out on top in Crypto.Com Arena?
All Odds Available at All of These Sportbooks
Spread
- Nuggets -2.5 (-110)
- Clippers +2.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Nuggets (+118)
- Lakers (-140)
Total
- Over 224.5 (-110)
- Under 224.5 (-110)
Prediction
Without Jokic tonight, it is hard to back the Nuggets, especially on the road.
The Nuggets are 1-2 without Jokic this season and their only Win without the Big Man was by 1 point.
The Clippers on the other hand, even without George, will rely heavily on Leonard yet again to get a big Western Conference win at home in what should be a rockin' Friday Night Crypto.com Arena.
Best Bet
Clippers -2.5 (-110)
Consensus Pick
Nuggets +2.5 (-110)
Player Prop of the Game
Kawhi Leonard o26.5 Points (-125)
As I mentioned above, Leonard has been awesome.
He has 29 and 33 in his last 2 games and is the best scoring threat on this Clippers team right now.
He is shooting 52% from the floor, 40% from 3 and 96% from the Free throw line in hislast 5 games, playing incredibly effecient basketball.
While he hasn't had great success against the Nuggets in recent history, I just don't see a way that Leonard isn't going to come out ready to roll tonight and carry his team to a big win.
Bonus:
30+ (+155)
Enjoy this game and all the other NBA games tonight!
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Daniel Collins is a sports fanatic and data-driven bettor. He has expertise in the NFL, NBA, and NHL. He’s a big fan of the Titans #titanup, Predators #predators and Arsenal #coyg. If he isn’t watching, betting on or writing about sports, he loves the outdoors, traveling, strong coffee and delicious food. You can follow him on X @SweatpantJesus. Peace and Love
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