The Denver Nuggets (50-32) face off against the Los Angeles Clippers (50-32) on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Ball Arena. Both teams enter the playoffs with a strong record, but the Clippers have momentum on their side.
The Clippers finished the regular season on a high note, winning eight of their last nine games and scoring an average of 112.9 points per game. Led by James Harden’s impressive averages of 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, the team showed resilience throughout the season.
In contrast, the Nuggets had a more inconsistent finish to their regular season, losing seven of their last 13 games. Despite this, Nikola Jokic had an MVP-caliber season with averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Jamal Murray also showed his skills with an average of 21.4 points and 6.0 assists per game.
The key to the Nuggets’ success lies in their home advantage. They have won each of their last seven Western Conference First Round home games, which could give them a significant edge in this matchup. The Clippers, on the other hand, have struggled at Ball Arena, losing 12 of their last 13 games against teams with a winning record.
The Nuggets’ coach, David Adelman, will be facing his first playoff game as head coach, while the Clippers continue to rely on their experienced coaching staff. However, both teams have strong playoff resumes and are looking forward to the challenge ahead.
In this matchup, it’s expected that both teams will come out strong, but the Nuggets might have an edge in terms of continuity. The Clippers’ recent performance suggests they have the momentum, but the Nuggets could potentially pull off a win in Game 1 behind Jokic’s stellar play.
Source: https://pickdawgz.com/nba-picks/2025-04-19/la-clippers-vs-denver-nuggets-prediction-nba-picks