Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers NBA Picks & Predictions 4/7/2018

Saturday, April 7, 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, April 7, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 1 point favorites.

The Nuggets come into this game with an overall record of 44-35. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.3 as they are averaging 110.0 points per game while giving up 108.7 per contest. The Clippers have an overall record of 42-37. They currently are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 109.1 points per game and surrendering 108.5, good for a point differential of 0.6.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 35-41-3 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 40-38-1 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 42-37-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 42-36-1 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

03/17/18 G Gary Harris Knee is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

11/22/17 PG Patrick Beverley Knee is out for season
04/04/18 F Danilo Gallinari Hand is out indefinitely
03/30/18 G Milos Teodosic Foot is out indefinitely
02/23/18 G Avery Bradley Groin is out for season

Player Spotlight

Paul Millsap comes into this contest averaging 15 points per game while playing 29.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Nuggets. He pulls down 6.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 70%. Nikola Jokic averages 18.2 points per game in 32.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6 assists per contest and 10.6 rebounds per game for Denver. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

DeAndre Jordan averages 12.1 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per contest this year for the Clippers. He grabs 15.3 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 65% and his free throw percentage currently is at 60%. Tobias Harris averages 18.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.5 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 110 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.29 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 44.5 rebounds per game and 25.1 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.1 per game. The Nuggets allow 108.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.5 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 24.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 8th in the league with 109.1 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.63. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 43.8 boards per game, and 23rd in assists per contest with 22.2. The Clippers are 11th in turnovers per game with 14.7. The Clippers surrender 108.5 points per contest, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 24.3 assists allowed per contest and 17th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Clippers are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 111.1, and their offensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 5th. They are 15th in the NBA in pace with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Denver is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 15th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 20th in the league. The Clippers are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.5, and their defensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 10th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles -1

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