Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The series between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers has been the most entertaining and hotly contested in the opening round. With the score tied at 2:2 after four games, all eyes now turn to Colorado for a pivotal Game 5. The hosts have regained home-court advantage, but turning that into a victory will be no easy task.
Denver Nuggets
Game 4 was a standout performance from Nikola Jokic, who delivered 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 8 assists. Yet even this historic effort failed to secure a comfortable win — the final score was (101:99). The squad has now edged out narrow victories in back-to-back games. The main concern is the heavy reliance on the starting five, all of whom are logging 43 minutes or more per game. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. have not provided steady offensive support, managing a combined 20+ points in only one of the four games.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have looked more cohesive under Tyronn Lue. In Game 4, they nearly completed a stunning comeback, erasing a 22-point deficit in the final quarter. Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and James Harden are leading the effort, each averaging 20.9 points per game. The Clippers have also shown notable improvement in ball control. Over the past three games, they have steadily reduced their turnovers — from 20 to 16 to 12. In addition, the squad is averaging 25 assists per game (the fourth-best mark in the playoffs) and is holding the Nuggets to just 99.5 points per game (also fourth-best).
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the more reliable unit: they boast a higher number of consistent contributors, better ball security, and greater tactical flexibility. The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to take advantage of the fatigue in the Denver Nuggets’ heavily-used starting lineup and move ahead in the series.
