Clippers vs Nuggets Odds, Spread & Predictions (Jan. 5)

• The Clippers head to the Mile High City to face the Nuggets on Thursday
• Denver is a 5-point home favorite over LAC
• Keep reading for the odds and Clippers vs Nuggets prediction

Thursday’s NBA slate will be capped off with a 10 PM ET tip-off between the two familiar foes as the Los Angeles Clippers (21-18, 10-10 away) visit the first-place Denver Nuggets (24-13, 14-3 home) at Ball Arena.

LA is currently winless in its last three games and just lost by 10 points to the Miami Heat on Monday night at home. The Nuggets are also coming off a defeat, falling 124-111 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Clippers vs Nuggets Odds

Odds as of January 4th at Barstool. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook bonus to bet on LAC vs Den. 

The Nuggets are a 5-point favorite here with moneyline odds of -215 but have covered in just 48.7% of their games this season. The Clippers come back at +170 and own an ATS underdog record of 8-8.

Denver has won three straight against LA. Two of those victories came at Ball Arena.

Clippers Could be Shorthanded

Los Angeles was deemed a title contender before the campaign began but injuries have halted their progress so far. The Clips are just 21-18, which puts them in the last playoff spot in sixth place. While Kawhi Leonard has managed to stay healthy as of late, his co-star Paul George is questionable for Thursday’s clash with a hamstring injury. Nic Batum is also ruled out with an ankle problem.

Leonard didn’t play on Monday versus Miami because of an illness and to be frank, there wasn’t much help for PG, who evidently picked up the injury in that contest. He led the charge with 25 points and seven assists, but only three others were in double-digits. The next closest scorer was Marcus Morris with 14.

Ty Lue’s squad did erase an 18-point deficit in the third quarter with a 28-8 run. However, they couldn’t keep it together in the final period, getting outscored 29-17 and coughing up the rock far too many times. If George doesn’t suit up, the likes of Reggie Jackson, John Wall, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac must step up alongside Kawhi.

Nuggets Are Thriving

We all knew the Nuggets would be a lot better with the return of Michael Porter Jr and Jamal Murray. That being said, no one could’ve predicted they’d be in first place in the West. This offense ranks 2nd in the Association and have managed to score 116.4 PPG. Denver is also shooting an NBA-best 39.8% from downtown. Elite.

But, Michael Malone’s group did not bring their best in Minnesota, especially defensively. Although the Timberwolves were missing Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, they managed to have their way from a scoring standpoint. The Nuggets defense actually ranks 26th in the league and it showed here.

On a more positive note, the entire first unit finished in double-figures, with Nikola Jokic dropping a team-high 24 points. MPJ also had 18, while Bones Hyland added 18 points off the bench, too. Denver needs to play with more authority throughout the entire four quarters Thursday. Their 14-3 record at home is certainly a promising sign that Jokic and Co. can get back in the win column.

Clippers vs Nuggets Prediction

It would be foolish to bet against Denver at Ball Arena. Plus, the Nuggets are dominating the Clippers in recent memory. With PG potentially sidelined, I like the home team to cover.

Pick: Nuggets -5 (-110)