Denver Nuggets (14-7) vs. LA Clippers (9-10)
Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers 12/6/23 – The Denver Nuggets face the LA Clippers on Wednesday night in a Western Conference showdown. The Nuggets have surged up the standings behind MVP Nikola Jokic, while the Clippers continue to hover around .500. Our best premium picks see value on both sides in this contest.
The Denver Nuggets enter with the NBA’s 3rd rated offense, scoring 114.5 PPG. That’s thanks mostly to Jokic, who’s putting up video game numbers of 29 points, 12.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game. Denver is also solid defensively, allowing the 9th fewest points. The Nuggets had won 4 straight before falling to Dallas on Monday.
The LA Clippers remain inconsistent despite plenty of talent. Paul George leads the team with 23.5 PPG, but the Clippers are just 22nd in offensive rating. LA has been stingy defensively though, rating 6th in opponents’ PPG. The Clippers had won 3 of 4 before losing tight games to Portland and Sacramento.
Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers 12/6/23 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Crypto.com Arena |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Nikola Jokic (C) vs. Paul George (F)
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic remains in peak form, making a strong case for a 3rd straight MVP award. He’s currently averaging a triple-double while posting insane shooting splits of 63/42/81. Jokic dominates with his rare blend of size, skill and vision. He excels scoring on the low block while also having the handles to lead the break and pick teams apart with his passing. The Nuggets offense hums thanks to Jokic’s brilliance. One area he can be exploited is on the defensive end, where he lacks mobility.
Paul George remains one of the NBA’s elite wings, though he hasn’t found peak efficiency yet this year. He’s scoring 23.5 PPG but shooting just 41.7% from the field and 34% from three. George can score at all three levels and makes life difficult for opponents with his length and quickness. He’s also added some playmaking this year, averaging a career high 4.3 assists. George isn’t an elite creator though and can occasionally settle for bad jumpers. He’s also lacked consistency this season.
This matchup features two of the league’s top talents in Jokic and George. While George may be the better defender, expect Jokic to control this game with his unmatched offensive mastery as a scorer, rebounder and facilitator. George certainly has the talent to catch fire himself, but over a full game, Jokic should get the better of this matchup.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: LA Clippers -103, Total Odds: 223.5
The odds are tightly contested, with the Clippers slightly favored. The total odds suggest a high-scoring game, consistent with both teams’ offensive strengths.
Denver Betting Trends
Denver has struggled against the spread of late, going 3-9-1 ATS over their last 13 contests. But they have owned the Clippers, covering in 6 of their last 7 meetings. The Nuggets are just 2-8 ATS on the road though, an area of concern. However, the Nuggets road struggles haven’t applied when facing LA, especially with Embiid sidelined.
LA Clippers Betting Trends
The Clippers continue to disappoint bettors, with an ATS record of 4-11 overall. The total has gone under in 8 of LA’s last 11 contests as well. That includes 5 straight unders at home. Those trends could reverse tonight though, considering the high over/under and the fact Denver games have often shot over the total. This will clearly be LA’s biggest test to date.
Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers 12/6/23 Betting Picks
Considering the trends and team performances, this game presents a close matchup. Denver’s offensive prowess may challenge the Clippers’ inconsistent defense. However, the Clippers’ home record and slight edge in recent matchups give them an advantage.
For NBA picks of the day, the game’s outcome could go either way, but the Clippers’ home court and defensive potential make them a slight favorite. Considering the total points trend, betting on the UNDER might be a prudent choice.
Free Pick & Prediction: LA Clippers 110, Denver Nuggets 108