The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers head into a pivotal Game 5 at Ball Arena with their first-round series deadlocked at 2-2 following the Nuggets' dramatic buzzer-beating victory in Game 4.
Nikola Jokic's dominant 36-point, 21-rebound performance in the last outing has shifted momentum back to Denver as they reclaimed home-court advantage after the Clippers' blowout win in Game 3.
With both teams sporting identical 50-32 regular season records, this critical matchup could turn on James Harden's ability to bounce back from a quiet Game 4 and whether Russell Westbrook can overcome his questionable status with a foot injury.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers prediction: who will win?
For today's Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers matchup, our predictive model gives the Nuggets a 55% chance of defeating the Clippers.
Pre-game probabilities
Denver Nuggets
Moneyline
Win %
55%
45%
Los Angeles Clippers
Denver Nuggets: 55% win probability
- Offensive firepower (Ranked 2nd in the Western Conference with 9902 points scored)
- Home court advantage (50-32 overall record suggests strong home performance)
- Momentum factor (Recent form of WWWLL shows stronger results than Clippers' recent performances)
Los Angeles Clippers: 45% win probability
- Scoring efficiency issues (Scored 646 fewer points than the Nuggets this season)
- Defensive vulnerability (Allowed 8874 points, which is strong but not elite compared to top Western teams)
- Inconsistent road performance (50-32 overall record but likely weaker away from home as is typical in the NBA)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model brings together insights from top NBA experts.
Instead of searching through countless expert analyses online, you can rely on our predictions to capture the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing expert picks, data, and trends, while our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. These confidence levels are then averaged to generate an 'expert opinion' win probability—providing a data-driven reflection of the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NBA analysts.
Best NBA sportsbook promos
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers preview
The Denver Nuggets stole back homecourt advantage with Aaron Gordon's dramatic buzzer-beating putback dunk in Game 4, setting up a pivotal Game 5 showdown with the series deadlocked at 2-2.
Nikola Jokic has been a one-man wrecking crew for Denver, coming off a monstrous 36-point, 21-rebound performance that kept the defending champions afloat despite their inconsistent offense throughout the series.
The Clippers' balanced attack has been led by Kawhi Leonard's steady production, but they'll need more from James Harden, who managed just 15 points and attempted only two 3-pointers in their Game 4 collapse.
After blowing a 20-point lead only to escape with the win, the Nuggets return to the friendly confines of Ball Arena where they've historically dominated the Clippers, though Denver's 6-5 record in April suggests vulnerability.
With Russell Westbrook's status still questionable with a foot injury, the Clippers' superior depth could prove decisive in breaking the series deadlock.
Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance but neither has maintained their regular-season offensive efficiency, setting the stage for what could be the series' defining moment in Denver on Tuesday night.
Betting on the NBA?
Sporting Post is your trusted source for NBA betting. We deliver expert NBA predictions, top NBA picks, and the latest NBA odds. Our detailed game analysis and real-time insights help you bet with confidence. Plus, we’ve reviewed and tested the best NBA betting sites to ensure you’re using safe and trusted online sportsbooks, the best betting apps, and betting sites.