Nuggets vs. Clippers in 2025 NBA playoffs: Schedule, dates, series odds

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The reigning MVP faces one of the most intriguing dark horses to begin the 2025 NBA playoffs, and it's one of the most compelling first-round series getting underway this weekend.

Nikola Jokic and the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets host the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 on Saturday afternoon in the Western Conference postseason bracket. Oddsmakers expect a long series, with Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray matching up against James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

The two teams split their four regular-season meetings, but each enters the NBA playoffs embarking on new paths. The Nuggets (50-32) abruptly fired coach Mike Malone with three games left (and less than two years removed from winning an NBA championship), but haven't lost yet with interim coach David Adelman. The Clippers (50-32) looked like one of the most dangerous teams in the league with Leonard back from injury again, reeling off 18 wins in their final 21 games.

Here's a breakdown of the Western Conference first-round series between the Nuggets and Clippers, including the game schedule, predictions, series odds and how to watch:

Nuggets vs. Clippers picks: NBA playoffs predictions

Paste BN: Experts lean toward the Clippers

Three out of the four members of Paste BN Sports' NBA coverage team like the Clippers in this first-round series. Reporters James Williams and Lorenzo Reyes pick the Clippers to win in five games. Reporter Jeff Zillgitt has the Clippers winning the series in six games. Paste BN NBA editor Heather Tucker predicts the Nuggets will beat the Clippers in six games.

John Schuhmann, NBA.com: Clippers in 6

"As a rule, postseason success correlates more to how a team plays early in the regular season than it does to how a team plays late. But the Clippers have obviously been a much different team since Leonard got healthy and found his rhythm. Jokić is still the best player in this series, but LA is the team that has proven that it can play at an elite level on both ends of the floor."

Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports: Nuggets in 7

"Whatever Denver throws at the Clips, (coach Tyronn) Lue will be ready with a response. Except, perhaps, for the biggest question the Nuggets can ask … This version of the Clippers absolutely can win this series, but this version of Jokić isn’t outgunned against anybody. That, plus home court, tilts me slightly in Denver’s favor."

Denver Post: Four of five writers pick Nuggets in 6 or 7

"This series is anti-math," writes Denver Post Nuggets beat writer Bennett Durando. "Denver attempted a league-low 31.4 shots beyond the arc per 100 possessions this season. The Clippers attempted 33.8 – second-fewest in the West. They’re not like other teams that have blowtorched the Nuggets’ unsightly defense with 3s. That’s why I like the matchup for them, even if the opponent is absurdly tough for a No. 5 seed."

Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: Clippers win the series

"The Nuggets have some major issues on the defensive end of the floor (23rd in defensive rating since the break, 21st overall) … Jokic is going to make this series tough because of how he can single-handedly win Denver games, but the Clippers have been so dominant at home … and Denver doesn’t have nearly as much depth as the Clippers."

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NBA playoffs series odds: Nuggets vs. Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are slight favorites to defeat the Denver Nuggets in the NBA playoffs, per BetMGM.

Odds as of Thursday, April 17

• Series winner: Clippers (-125); Nuggets (+105)

Additionally, a six- or seven-game series is seen as the most likely series length:

• Four games: +625
• Five games: +250
• Six games: +195
• Seven games: +190

Nuggets vs. Clippers: NBA playoffs schedule, time, TV channel, live streaming

The Western Conference first-round series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers begins with Game 1 on Saturday, April 19 in Denver. ESPN, TNT and NBA TV are all scheduled to broadcast games during the series, which could last as long as two weeks with a potential Game 7 slated for Saturday, May 3.

Here's the updated schedule for Nuggets vs. Clippers. All times listed are Eastern.

• Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, April 19 | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
• Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets | Monday, April 21 | 10 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV
• Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, April 24 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV
• Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers | Saturday, April 26 | 6 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV
• Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
• Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
• Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*

*if necessary

Watch Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 1 with Fubo