Nuggets and Clippers Battle in Game 5 of NBA Playoffs

DENVER, CO — The Denver Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Clippers for Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Both teams enter the game tied 2-2 after the Nuggets won Game 4 in a dramatic finish.

In Game 4, the Nuggets clinched a narrow 101-99 victory with a last-second dunk, marking the first buzzer-beater of its kind in NBA playoff history. This series has been tightly contested, with three of the four games decided by a single possession. Both teams will aim for a crucial win as the series moves to Denver’s Ball Arena.

Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. The Nuggets are currently dealing with injury concerns, as Michael Porter Jr. is questionable with a shoulder issue, while Russell Westbrook from the Clippers has a foot injury but is probable to play. Los Angeles reports no injuries ahead of the matchup.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed the Clippers as 1.5-point favorites. The over/under for total points is set at 209. The Clippers are at -135 on the money line, while the Nuggets sit at +113, enticing bettors on both sides.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates NBA games 10,000 times, is on fire, boasting a returning profit of over $10,000 for $100 players over the past six seasons. Entering the playoffs, the model has maintained an impressive 156-116 on all top-rated picks, returning nearly $4,000 in the process.

In Game 4, Nikola Jokic delivered a standout performance for the Nuggets, scoring 36 points with 21 rebounds and 8 assists. His averages throughout the first four games of the series are 28.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 10.8 assists. Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, has consistently shown dominance in the postseason.

On the Clippers’ side, star player Kawhi Leonard has been crucial in their execution, averaging 26.5 points across the series, while James Harden provides valuable support with 21.3 points and 9.5 assists per game.

As anticipation builds for Game 5, experts are split on which team will emerge victorious. SportsLine’s model is predicting an offensive clash, projecting a combined total of 219 points, indicating an exciting night of basketball ahead.

With both teams showing their strengths throughout the series, fans are eager to see who will take the lead in this pivotal playoff matchup.