Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Predictions, Odds, Bets & Stats First Round Game 5– 04/29/2025

On Tuesday, 04/29, the Denver Nuggets (2-2) will host the Los Angeles Clippers (2-2) in Game 5 of the First Round in the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets won another thriller in Game 4 on Aaron Gordon’s game-winner to tie the series. Can the stacked Clippers take back the series lead against the Nuggets? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.

Where to Watch Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers

• Time: 8:00 AM (MT) 
• Venue: Ball Arena (Denver, Colorado)
• Where to watch: This game can be viewed on the NBA League Pass.

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Game 5 Preview 

The most intriguing series

Game 4 perfectly encapsulates the series. As Nikola Jokic threw a prayer at the buzzer-beater and missed, Nuggets’ athletic forward Aaron Gordon sneaked in a put-back from a tough angle. However, the ball left his hands juuust at the 0.0 mark. The thinnest of margins indeed. 

The Nuggets did a fantastic job of recovering from a 34-point loss. The Nuggets held a slim 2-point lead by the end of the first half. However, the next two quarters saw big runs

Denver took a big-time 20-point lead at the end of the third quarter. But the Clippers made a fierce rally. It was a brilliant team effort encapsulated by a Norman Powell three-pointer that cut the lead to one and a Bogdan Bogdanovic jumper that gave them a lead with 1:11 left.

Jokic and Zubac traded buckets to tie the game. It paved the way for the magical moment by Gordon. Jokic led all scorers with 36 points and also stacked a game-high 21 rebounds. This phenomenal performance came at the most crucial time when the Nuggets were decimated at Game 3 because of their offensive issues.

At any rate, the game was as close as it gets. Both teams made 10 triples and 11 free throws. The Nuggets had one more made field goal with 40, which was the difference in the end. Phew, what a series!

Nuggets Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Jamal Murray | SG: Christian Braun |  SF: Michael Porter Jr. | PF: Aaron Gordon | C: Nikola Jokic

Key bench players: PG: Russell Westbrook.

Injuries/Updates: Russell Westbrook is a Game-Time Decision.

Clippers Expected Starting Lineup

PG: James Harden | SG: Kris Dunn | SF: Kawhi Leonard | SF: Norman Powell | C: Ivica Zubac

Key bench players: SF: Derrick Jones Jr, PF: Nicolas Batum, SG: Bogdan Bogdanovic, PG: Ben Simmons.

Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Total Over/Under Prediction– NBA Best Bets

Three of the four games have been in the 200-207 points range thus far. Meanwhile, only one battle has yielded 210+ points (222 in Game 1 due to Overtime).

Thus, it has been a hard-fought battle. The Clippers have touched the 110+ points mark once outside of the OT game, while the Nuggets are yet to do it apart from the OT situation. But Jokic has found his offensive rhythm in full flow and a bunch of their role players are due a big game. Thus, I see the Nuggets getting past at least 105 here. 

• Total: O 209.5 for +100 at BetMGM
• Nuggets: Points  Over 104.5 for -102  at BetMGM

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Player Props Predictions- NBA Betting Picks

Nikola Jokic to dish over 9.5 assists: The Joker dished the series-low 8 assists as he took the series-high 25 shots. Before that, he had handed out 10-13 assists in each game. I see him repeating such heroics. 

Ivica Zubac to grab over 11.5 rebounds: The Clippers center has gathered 11.5 rebounds per game, with 13 rebounds as his high. I expect him to pull down a similar number of boards again.

Jamal Murray to score over 21.5 points: Murray struggled in the last game, making just 5 out of his 17 attempts from the field. He had compiled 23, 23, and 21 points in the previous games. I expect him to return to the 20+ points mark.

Main pick: Jamal Murray O 21.5 for -105 at BetMGM

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Game 5 Prediction- NBA Betting Lines 

The Nuggets haven’t played their best basketball yet, and the Clippers have looked the better team. But Denver knows how to come up clutch since the 2023 playoffs, even against the shot-creator-laden LA Clippers.

This series has perfectly represented the star power of both squads. It is difficult to bet against the Clippers, but I’d back Denver to get the job done here. Still, the potential for a thriller is high, and I’d take a risk on the money line instead of judging a spread here as they can win by 1 point.

Safe Spread Pick:  Money Line- Nuggets for +105 at BetMGM 

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!

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