Clippers vs Nuggets Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 5/3/25
J.A. Cavalier- May 3
- 3 min read
LA CLIPPERS @ DENVER (DEN -1.5, 206.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
CLIPPERS @ NUGGETS 5/3/25
The Denver Nuggets have been in this situation before and they’d like to see a different outcome. The Los Angeles Clippers have been here as well. When Denver hosts Los Angeles tonight for Game 7 of their Western Conference quarterfinal, a battle that began two weeks ago comes to an end. The winner advances to face Oklahoma City, the No. 1 seed, in the conference semifinals.
Since the 2019 postseason, the Nuggets have played in three Game 7s, but not all of them have been happy ones. They have a 2-1 record in those Game 7s, with their most recent experience occurring last season when they lost heartbreakingly to Minnesota at home after blowing a 20-point lead in the second half.
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, two future Hall of Famers on that other team, both played crucial roles in the Clippers' 111-105 victory in Game 6 on Thursday. After two lackluster games, Harden bounced back with 28 points, while Leonard finished with 27.
Since the NBA Bubble in Orlando in 2020, when he was with Houston, Harden had not won an elimination game before Thursday. Since then, he has faced criticism for his performance in elimination games. His teammates weren't bothered by that. Despite only sitting for a single minute during Thursday's victory, the 35-year-old Harden is willing to do it again.
The Clippers have only won one of their first-round Game 7s away from home since 1978, despite being 4-1 overall. The last time the Clippers played a Game 7 was when Los Angeles defeated visiting Dallas in the opening round on its way to its first conference finals appearance in 2021.
In the second half of Thursday's game, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue made a crucial change that is probably going to be carried over to Saturday. In the third quarter, Lue started Nicolas Batum, who is bigger and more adaptable. Despite having just six points, the 6-foot-8 veteran was able to defend Nuggets players Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic by acting as a perimeter threat, which freed up Harden and Leonard to attack the paint.
Jokic remarked, "Batum is a much better shooter than Kris Dunn," alluding to the 6-3 guard. "Batum plays excellent defense. He is capable of guarding one to five. When it comes to Batum, I don't believe they are lacking in any way.” Batum will most likely start Game 7.
The teams are playing a Game 7 for the second time. Denver came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the first one, which took place in the 2020 NBA Bubble. Only Jokic, Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. remain on the roster. Leonard and Ivica Zubac were part of that Los Angeles squad.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
KAWHI LEONARD OVER 25.5 POINTS
Leonard has been here before. He has played in a few Game 7s, even one against the Nuggets and he would most certainly like to avenge his awful performance in 2020. In the playoff bubble, Leonard shot 6-for-22 and had just 14 points when the Clippers lost to Denver. He also had 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in 2021 in a Game 7 against Dallas. In this series, Leonard, ironically, is averaging 25.5 points per game. He is shooting 54.5 percent overall and 39.4 percent from three. He’s only gone Over tonight’s number twice in the series, but one of those was Game 6. Leonard had 27 as he and the Clippers faced elimination. You can bet he’ll be on his game again tonight.
