Nuggets vs. Clippers Prediction
The Clippers are a rare home underdog tonight against the Nuggets – will they cover when the two teams tip-off at 10:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Clippers are now 2.5-point home underdogs versus the Nuggets after the game opened as a pick’em. As for the total, the number hit the board at 210 and that’s where it currently sits.
Wilson Chandler hit 9-of-17 shots and a 3-pointer for 19 points in the Nuggets’ 109-108 loss to the Hawks last Friday. He also finished with 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal while scoring in double figures for the fifth straight game. Danilo Gallinari also hit 5-of-10 shots, with two 3-pointers and 9-of-10 free throws to record 21 points in the loss. He added 11 rebounds, two assists and a block as well.
The reason the Clippers are underdogs is because they’re already down Blake Griffin and most-likely will also be without Chris Paul (hamstring). Coach Doc Rivers hinted that he’s just being cautious with Paul, who sat out of the Clippers’ 111-102 loss to the Lakers on Christmas Day. The team could also be without J.J. Redick, who is dealing with a mild hamstring injury himself.
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OUR PREDICTION: Until the Clippers get healthy it’s hard to back them right now, even as a home dog. They’re just 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 home games this season, are 2-6 against the number in their last eight games overall, and are 2-7 ATS in their last nine contests after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. The road team has also cashed in five of the last seven meetings between these two teams so with no Griffin, no Paul, no Redick and a tired team that played the day before, I’ll fade the Clippers tonight.
MONDAY NBA PREDICTION: DENVER NUGGETS -2.5