Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers: NBA Betting Odds and Predictions

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Saturday, 12/21/13, 10:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -8
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -8
Opening Total: 204
Current Total: 205.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Denver Nuggets are 7-7 SU on the road this season

Denver has dropped three of its last four games, including a 103-99 setback to the Phoenix Suns as four-point home favorites Friday night, while going UNDER the betting total for a sixth consecutive contest. The Nuggets entered that affair with four players averaging in double figures, with point guard Ty Lawson leading the way at 18.0 points a contest. Offensively, the team shot a season-worst 23.5 percent from three-point range last night, which is important to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds. Denver is 11-6 SU and 12-5 ATS after three or more consecutive UNDERs the last two-plus seasons.

The Nuggets are 7-7 SU on the road during the 2013-14 campaign, including a 4-5 mark versus Western Conference opponents, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Denver has dropped five of its last six road games against Los Angeles, but has won the last two meetings overall. It’s important to point out that these two rivals have gone UNDER the total in 10 of the last 14 games in the series.

Los Angeles has won and covered the spread in three consecutive games, including a 108-95 victory over the New Orleans Hornets as 9.5-point home favorites Wednesday, while going UNDER the betting total of 204.5. The Clippers are 12-0 SU this seaosn when scoring 104 or more points this season, while they’ve won all three games since reserve guard Jamal Crawford was inserted into the starting lineup. Los Angeles is 10-2 SU and 7-5 ATS at the Staples Center this year.

The Clippers lead the NBA in averaging 111.3 points per game at home, which is more than three points ahead of what the Thunder are putting together. Los Angeles is averaging 18.6 points per game off turnovers, which is fifth in the league behind the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and New York Knicks. Crawford has scored 17 points in each of his three games since leaving the bench—upping his average to 16.1 points per game on the season.