LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Predictions. Betting Odds, Picks

• The LA Clippers look to bounce back, losing 6 of their last 10 games.
• On the other end, the Denver Nuggets have won 6 of their last 10 games.
• The Clippers and Nuggets have split their season series in 2021-2022.

LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Odds

Injury Report

How Can the Clippers Beat the Nuggets?

Slowing the Denver Nuggets won’t be easy for LA, especially as they are so undermanned. However, if there’s a way for the Clippers to find success against the Nuggets, they need to force a more selfish offence out of them.

In losses, Denver average 3.9 fewer assists and shoot just 31.1% from three-point range. While the Clippers are missing two of their best players, who are also two of the best defenders in the league, they still own its fifth best defence.

All eyes will be on the pair of Ivica Zubac and Serge Ibaka to keep Nikola Jokic in check. If they can prevent him from initiating the Nuggets offense, their playmaking ability drops significantly.

Clippers Key Player: (F) Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum (32 points) Highlights vs. Indiana Pacers #NBA75 #NBAAfrica pic.twitter.com/EknnXRJQmf

— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) January 18, 2022

If you had only seen the first half of the Clippers’ last game against the Indiana Pacers, you’d think Nicolas Batum had no impact. However the veteran showed in the second half that he still has the presence to lead his team.

In just 20 second-half minutes, Batum scored 32 points on 11 of 13 shooting from the field and 7 of 9 shooting from three-point range.

Don’t expect Batum to be the focal point of LA’s offensive scheme. But his sharpshooting is incredibly valuable to the Clippers’ success.

How Can the Nuggets Beat the Clippers?

The Denver Nuggets want to secure their place amongst the top of the Western Conference and thus they need to beat the Clippers in this meeting.

Without their star players available, the Clippers are a rather streaky shooting team. While LA maintain their turnover rate through wins and losses, their shooting is another story. LA shoot just 41.9% from the field and 32.9% from deep in losses, versus 47.5% and 38.5% in victories.

The Nuggets must not get sucked in by the Clippers’ penetration, and keep the Clippers’ shooters honest. If Denver can close out with control and make it difficult for LA from deep, they don’t have the scoring diversity to keep up with them.

Nuggets Key Player: (C) Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic doing MVP things on Dwight Howard ?pic.twitter.com/0orFJlm67J

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 16, 2022

No need to look beyond Nikola Jokic when the Clippers and Nuggets face off. The reigning league MVP is coming off of a brilliant game where he posted a triple-double.

Jokic posted 25 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists, in 36 minutes of play. As always, Jokic’s offensive contributions have been brilliant. However, Jokic needs support on the defensive side of the ball.

The focus of most of Denver’s opponent’s attacks, Jokic racked up 5 fouls through his team’s loss to the Utah Jazz. If Denver want to find a victory, they’ll need to take some of the defensive pressure off of Jokic.

How to Watch LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets