Clippers vs Nuggets G1 NBA Pick: Round 1 Rematch of the 2020 Bubble Collapse (Apr 19)

• The Clippers secured a victory over the Warriors, clinching the sixth seed.
• The Nuggets ended the regular season with a 50–32 record, the third seed.
• The Clippers and Nuggets last met in the 2020 playoffs, Denver won 4-3.

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers face off in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round on Apr. 19, 2025. Both teams are poised for a competitive series, with the Nuggets aiming to defend their home court and the Clippers seeking to make a statement on the road.

Clippers Have Had A Complete Season

The Clippers (51-31) are coming into the postseason on a strong note, having won three straight to close the regular season. Their regular-season finale—a 124-119 overtime win over the Warriors—was a reminder of what this group can do when their stars are locked in.

James Harden led the way with 39 points and 10 assists, while Kawhi Leonard dropped 33. Ivica Zubac added a massive double-double with 22 points and 17 boards. The Clippers’ offense ranked 11th in the league at 116.9 PPG, finishing 4th in defensive rating since the All-Star break.

Harden’s floor leadership and Leonard’s two-way dominance give L.A. a strong postseason foundation. But perhaps most importantly, this is the healthiest and deepest the Clippers have looked all year.

Their bench, led by Norman Powell and Bones Hyland, gives them options to counter Denver’s second unit. If L.A. can slow Jokic’s facilitation and protect the paint, they’ll have a real shot at stealing Game 1 on the road.

Nuggets Have A Triple Double Machine

The Nuggets (54-28) are entering the playoffs with momentum, having won 7 of their last 10. Despite an internal shake-up—head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth were recently dismissed—Nikola Jokic continues to play like the league’s most consistent force.

He closed the season averaging a near triple-double: 26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, and 9.9 APG. Jamal Murray has returned to form after a late-season injury scare, and Aaron Gordon is fresh off a 33-point explosion against Memphis.

Denver remains one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league. They ranked 4th in team field goal percentage (49.6%) and 3rd in assists per game.

While the Nuggets have elite home-court success, the recent front office drama could test their focus. This core knows what it takes to win in the playoffs, but they’ll need to be locked in defensively to contain the Clippers’ veteran scorers.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Pick

This is arguably the most compelling first-round matchup in the West, with high-level star talent on both sides and a playoff rivalry dating back to 2020. Denver has the home-court edge and the best player in the series in Jokic, but L.A. comes in playing its best basketball of the season and fully healthy. With Harden facilitating, Kawhi defending, and Zubac anchoring the paint, the Clippers have all the tools to pull off a mild upset.