Nuggets vs. Clippers predictions, picks, odds for 2025 NBA playoff series

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The Denver Nuggets have the reigning MVP, a former star who can exact some revenge on his former team and an interim coach who took over with three games left in the regular season. The Los Angeles Clippers have one of the best records in the NBA since the start of March, emerging as one of the dangerous threats lurking behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.

Together, these two teams have the potential to produce a memorable first-round series when they start the 2025 NBA playoffs against one another Saturday afternoon in Denver. The No. 4 seed Nuggets (50-32) haven't lost under interim coach David Adelman and star Nikola Jokic has alluded to the coaching change perhaps awaking the "beast" inside this Denver team. Jokic also acknowledged the Nuggets' vulnerability after finishing with an 11-11 record to close the regular season and firing coach Mike Malone less than two years after he won an NBA championship.

The No. 5 seed Clippers (50-32) won 18 of their final 21 games down the stretch after Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup on a regular basis. He teamed with James Harden, Norman Powell and big man Ivica Zubac to form a nucleus that plays fearsome defense and appears capable of doing damage in this year's playoff bracket. They'll have to first get past former teammate Russell Westbrook, now a key reserve for the Nuggets.

Experts are already weighing in and they're split on what team will win the series. Here's a look at some notable predictions and picks, as well as the latest odds, schedule and how to watch the Denver Nuggets faces the Los Angeles Clippers to start the 2025 NBA playoffs:

Nuggets vs. Clippers predictions: NBA playoffs series picks

Paste BN Sports: Experts lean toward the Clippers

Three out of the four members of Paste BN Sports' NBA coverage team like the Los Angeles 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 Sports 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 out 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."

NBA PLAYOFF PICKS: Our predictions for every first-round series

NBA playoffs 2025: Nuggets vs. Clippers series odds

The Los Angeles Clippers are slight favorites to defeat the Denver Nuggets in the NBA playoffs, per BetMGM odds (as of Friday evening, April 18):

• Series winner: Clippers (-125); Nuggets (+105)
• Game 1 Spread: Nuggets (-2.5)
• Game 1 Moneyline: Nuggets (-140); Clippers (+115)
• Game 1 Over/Under: 223.5

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

Clippers vs. Nuggets Game 1 odds

• Spread: Nuggets (-2.5)
• Moneyline: Nuggets (-145); Clippers (+118)
• Over/under: 225.5

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