Clippers vs Nuggets: Preview, Odds, and Predictions for Saturday’s NBA Clash

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets are set to face off on Saturday, October 26, at 5:00 p.m. ET at Ball Arena in Denver. Both teams are looking to secure their first win of the season after losing their respective opening games.

The Clippers, who are without star Kawhi Leonard due to a knee injury, had a strong showing in their season opener against the Phoenix Suns but ultimately fell 116-113 in overtime. James Harden was a standout, posting 29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, although he struggled with his shooting, going 10-for-28 from the field. The team also had issues with turnovers, committing 21 in total.

The Denver Nuggets, meanwhile, suffered a 102-87 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their opener. Despite Nikola Jokic‘s impressive triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, the team struggled with shooting, particularly from three-point range, where they went just 7-for-38. New additions like Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook are still integrating into the team’s rotation.

In terms of betting odds, the Nuggets are favored by 7.5 to 8 points, with a moneyline of -350 for Denver and +275 for the Clippers. The over/under for total points is set at 219.5 to 220.5 points. Historically, the Clippers have won three straight against the Nuggets, but Denver has a strong home record, having covered the spread in seven of their last 10 Saturday home games.

Analysts predict that Nikola Jokic’s playmaking and scoring could push the game over the total points, given his ability to elevate his team’s offense. The Clippers, meanwhile, are expected to distribute the scoring more evenly among their players, with James Harden likely to involve teammates like Terance Mann and Norman Powell more in the offense.