nikola-jokic-cbs-usatsi-nuggets.jpg
USATSI

The Denver Nuggets aim to continue a stellar home performance on Thursday evening. Nikola Jokic and company are 14-3 at home this season, with the Nuggets boasting a 24-13 overall record as the Los Angeles Clippers come to town. The Clippers are 10-10 on the road and 21-18 overall. Paul George (hamstring) is questionable for the Clippers, with Nicolas Batum (ankle) ruled out. Jeff Green (finger) is out for the Nuggets.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Denver as a 6-point home favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 229 in the latest Clippers vs. Nuggets odds. Before you make any NBA predictions with the Nuggets vs. Clippers match-up, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 12 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 38-13 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning almost $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Clippers vs. Nuggets and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Nuggets vs. Clippers:

  • Clippers vs. Nuggets spread: Nuggets -6
  • Clippers vs. Nuggets over/under: 229 points 
  • Clippers vs. Nuggets money line: Nuggets -220, Clippers +180
  • LAC: The Clippers are 11-9 against the spread in road games 
  • DEN: The Nuggets are 10-7 against the spread in home games 
  • Clippers vs. Nuggets picks: See picks here

Why the Clippers can cover

The Clippers shoot well from 3-point range, converting 37.6% from long distance. L.A. is also facing a Denver defense that is yielding 114.5 points per 100 possessions, and the Nuggets are in the bottom five of the NBA in field goal percentage allowed, 2-point percentage allowed, and assists allowed on defense. 

On the other end, the Clippers are elite, giving up only 110.1 points per 100 possessions to rank in the top five of the NBA. L.A. is also in the top five in field goal percentage allowed (45.7%) and 3-point percentage allowed (34.0%), while only giving up 21.9 free throw attempts per game. Los Angeles is in the top 10 of the NBA in defensive rebound rate (73.1%) and assists allowed (24.2 per game), with the Clippers boasting quality depth and versatility to flummox opponents.

Why the Nuggets can cover

The Nuggets have the superior offense in this matchup. The Clippers are No. 27 in the NBA in offensive efficiency, and the Clippers rank No. 25 or worse in 2-point shooting, assists per game, and turnovers per game. Denver can make things more difficult for the Clippers on defense with top-three marks in defensive rebound rate (74.2%) and second-chance points allowed (12.0 per game), but the Nuggets are also elite on offense.

The Nuggets are No. 2 in the NBA in offensive efficiency, No. 2 in field goal percentage, and No. 1 in 3-point percentage, making nearly 40% of long-range attempts. Denver produces 28.7 assists per game, an elite figure, and the Nuggets average 16.0 fast break points and 54.8 points in the paint per game this season.

How to make Clippers vs. Nuggets picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, with 13 players projected to score at least nine points. The model also says one side of the spread has all of the value. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Nuggets vs. Clippers? And which side of the spread has all of the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Clippers vs. Nuggets spread you need to jump on Thursday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.