Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/22/2018

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, December 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 2 point favorites.

The Nuggets have a record of 21-9. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 6.6 as they average 110.0 points per game while giving up 103.4 per contest. The Clippers have an overall mark of 18-13. They currently are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They total 114.7 points per contest and give up 114.3, which is a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 19-11-0 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 12-18-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 17-14-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 19-11-0 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/07/18 G Gary Harris Hip is out indefinitely
12/07/18 F Paul Millsap Toe is out indefinitely
10/22/18 G Will Barton Hip is out indefinitely
10/11/18 G Isaiah Thomas Hip is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

11/29/18 F Luc Mbah a Moute Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic comes into this contest averaging 18.1 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 10.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Jamal Murray averages 17.6 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Tobias Harris averages 21.3 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.3 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Danilo Gallinari averages 19.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.0 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 110.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.6 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 23rd in the league. They average 47.1 rebounds per game and 26.9 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.6 per game. The Nuggets allow 103.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.9 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 23.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 5th in the league with 114.7 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.4. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 45.5 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 22.5. The Clippers are 15th in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Clippers surrender 114.3 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 24.1 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 45.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Clippers are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 11.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.8, and their defensive rating of 106.1 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league. Denver is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 26th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 14th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Clippers are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 112.3, and their offensive rating of 112.7 is ranked 24th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Clippers NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles -2

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