Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The Los Angeles Clippers needed overtime in their final regular season game to clinch a direct playoff spot. The extra effort proved worthwhile: not only did the team earn valuable rest days, but they also drew a match-up against the Denver Nuggets, who are clearly not at their best.
Denver Nuggets
Crucially, the Nuggets have lost much of the advantage they once held playing at altitude — a key factor in their success in recent seasons. This year, they are producing a +5.4 net rating per 100 possessions, a noticeable decline from the +9.6 and +10.1 statistics posted in the last two seasons. Against this backdrop, the abrupt dismissal of head coach Michael Malone seems less surprising — the Nuggets appear to be slowly running out of steam. The gap in performance with and without Nikola Jokic on the court continues to widen, raising concerns. At the same time, Jamal Murray missed five games at the end of the regular season and remains a question mark in terms of fitness heading into the playoffs.
Los Angeles Clippers
Few Western Conference teams looked as impressive late in the season as the Clippers, who closed out the regular campaign with an 18:3 run. They asserted defensive dominance even without their marquee player and finished third in defensive rating. With Kawhi Leonard back in the lineup, they’ve added a potent offensive threat, now averaging 123.6 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor. Just as importantly, the Clippers feature a group of experienced and composed role players unlikely to be fazed by the pressure of the postseason. Chris Dunn and Derrick Jones are expected to generate a number of open looks, as James Harden, Norman Powell, and Kawhi Leonard attract the bulk of defensive attention. Dunn and Jones have maintained shooting consistency in all environments, converting at rates of 43.6% and 52.3% from the field respectively.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
In the playoffs, momentum often counts for more than a fast start to the season — and in that regard, the Los Angeles Clippers look like one of the most balanced teams in the league right now. The fact that Kawhi Leonard appeared in both legs of a back-to-back in early April is a strong indicator that we may see flashes of his 2019 Toronto Raptors form. The visitors are well-positioned to come away with the win.
