The Los Angeles Clippers play their first game at Crypto.com Arena a day after the Lakers opened the new sponsorship on Christmas.
It was a close game in the final minutes between the Nets and Lakers. The Lakers got behind by around 20 points, then came back, let the game get away again.
Sunday night showdown out west! #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/DFlDAge0ys
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 26, 2021
They did another come from behind act and then crumbled late to lose by a score of 122-115. The Lakers should not have that one against a shorthanded Nets squad.
Allowing Patty Mills to go off was embarrassing for Russell Westbrook. Mills knocked down one last three in the final seconds to put the Nets ahead for good to break up a 115-115 game.
The Clippers will be down a lot of talent Sunday night. Paul George is OUT with a UCL sprain for the next 3-4 weeks.
He joins an injury/illness list, which includes Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson, and Luke Kennard. George has done a fine job holding the Clippers up without Leonard.
The Clippers go into tonight at 17-15 and are coming off a 105-89 loss win over the Sacramento Kings to end a three-game skid. The Clippers were on a four-game winning streak before sliding.
They will need sa player to step up in the absence of PG13 tonight. Denver has been sloppy themselves as of late.
They lost an embarrassing effort in OKC as generous favorites, 108-94, and then allowed the Charlotte Hornets to erase a big deficit in a 115-107 loss.
They’ve been banged up, though Aaron Gordon is probable after missing the Hornets game. Nikola Jokic and Gordon will be the best players on the floor in this one. Head below for our free Nuggets vs. Clippers pick on December 26, 2021.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds and Team Statistics:
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | -4 (-110) | -116 | Over 211.5 (-110) |
| LA Clippers | -+4 (-110) | +146 | Under 211.5 (-10) |
| Team Data | Denver Nuggets | LA Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 15-16 | 17-15 |
| ATS Record | 13-18-0 | 14-18-0 |
| Away/Home Record | 7-10 | 12-8 |
| ATS Away/Home | 7-10-0 | 8-12-0 |
| Points Per Game | 106.4 | 105.5 |
| Points Against Per Game | 106.8 | 104.8 |
| Field Goal % | 46.4 | 45.1 |
| Three Point % | 34.7 | 35.8 |
Nuggets vs. Clippers Prediction:
Head coach Michael Malone has to look at himself in the mirror. This isn’t just a personnel problem for the Nuggets recently.
Why Nikola Jokic was on the bench at the most critical point in the game versus the Hornets was baffling. The Nuggets couldn’t buy a basket, and there was Jokic on the bench while the Hornets pulled away.
Denver attempted to force-feed Jokic while he was on the floor, but without Michael Porter Jr. or Aaron Gordon, it was easy work for the Hornets, usually terrible defense.
Jokic will have Gordon back, which should help considerably tonight. Gordon is shooting 51.6% from the field with 14 points per game this season. He’s also hauled in 5.5 rebounds a game.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends:
Nuggets
- 5-1 overall in their previous six games versus the Clippers
- 5-1 ATS in thier previous six games versus the Clippers
- 5-0 ATS in their previous five games versus the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena
- 5-1 ATS in their previous six games after a loss
- OVER is 10-2 in their previous 12 games on the road
Clippers
- 1-7 ATS in their previous eight games after covering the spread
- 1-6 ATS in their previous seven games versus a team with a losing road record
- 3-8 ATS in their previous 11 games versus a team with a losing record
- UNDER is 5-1 in their previous six games
- UNDER is 9-2 in their previous 11 games versus a team with a losing record
The Nuggets are a dangerous squad when Jokic has an MVP game. He is tough for any defense to handle on the inside and the outside. I don’t know if the Clippers have a body to put on Jokic to contain him tonight.
Ivica Zubac is expected to be active for this one, but I have little confidence in him bothering Jokic. Jokic has recorded a double-double in 18 of his last 20 attempts, and a Clippers team down talent tonight shouldn’t be able to keep up with him.
If Malone smartens up and doesn’t take Jokic off the floor at the worst possible time, the Nuggets should return to form in Los Angeles tonight.
They are coming off two bad losses versus the Thunder and Hornets. This looks like a good spot against the shorthanded Clippers to bounce back.
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