The Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets commence the new season at Staples Center. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 226 points with Los Angeles opening as a 1-point favorite.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Free Prediction
Last season, Denver was unable reach the playoffs following a 46-36 regular season campaign. Los Angeles also was unable reach the playoffs following a 42-40 regular season.
Last season, a focal point for the Los Angeles offense has been to get to and convert from the free throw line. The Clippers ranked fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.222), but Denver was among the best in the NBA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking fifth by yielding a FTA rate of 0.173). Moreover, the Nuggets were among the NBA’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking third in offensive rebounding percentage (25.7 percent). The Clippers, meanwhile, ranked 28th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.1 percent).
The Nuggets were 46-36 straight up (SU) last season, but had trouble covering the spread (45-35-2 against the spread (ATS)). Vegas had a tendency to place the total slightly low when Denver is involved, as 50 of their 82 games finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, the Clippers owned records of 42-40 SU and 42-46-1 ATS last season. Similar to Denver, just over half of Los Angeles’ games finished over the projected point total.
The Clippers won two out of three games against the Nuggets last season. In the last matchup, Denver won 134-115. Denver’s 0.694 effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Los Angeles, who had a rate of 0.529.
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Los Angeles is 13-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Denver is 15-2.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Clippers are 40-27 and the Nuggets are 39-26.
Los Angeles averages 52.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Denver ranks 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.3).
The Nuggets average 13.4 fast break points per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Clippers rank last in fast break points allowed per game (15.4).
Denver ranks fourth in assists per game (25.1) while Los Angeles ranks 24th in assists allowed per game (24.6).
The Nuggets average 14.0 second chance points per game, which ranks third in the league. The Clippers rank 22nd in second chance points allowed per game (13.2).
Denver ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (41.6) while Los Angeles ranks 18th (43.6).
The Nuggets rank 12th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Clippers rank 28th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
Denver averages 16.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
The Nuggets average 30.9 three pointers per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Clippers rank 20th in three pointers allowed per game (30.2).
Denver averages 7.6 steals per game, which ranks 16th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 27th in steals allowed per game (8.5).
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