Best first-round NBA playoff matchups
The For The Hoops crew discuss the most exciting first-round NBA playoff series, including Lakers vs. Timberwolves and Rockets vs. Warriors.
The No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets and No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers play on Saturday, May 3, in Game 7 of their first-round 2025 NBA playoffs series.
The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time (7:30 p.m. Eastern time) and can be seen on TNT (stream with Sling TV).
Who will win the NBA playoff game?
Check out these NBA playoffs picks and predictions for the Western Conference matchup. The series is tied, 3-3.
The Nuggets are a 1.5-point favorite over the Nuggets in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. Denver is -118 on the moneyline. Los Angeles is -102. The over/under for the game is set at 204.5 points.
NBA playoffs series picks, predictions, odds: Cavaliers vs Heat | Celtics vs Magic | Knicks vs Pistons | Pacers vs Bucks | Thunder vs Grizzlies | Rockets vs Warriors | Lakers vs Timberwolves | Nuggets vs Clippers | NBA championship odds | Game odds | NBA playoff bracket
Watch Clippers vs Nuggets game on Sling TV
ESPN: Nuggets have a 56.4% chance to beat Clippers in Game 7
The site gives Los Angeles a 43.6% shot at defeating Denver in the seventh game of the NBA playoffs series.
NBA playoffs series schedules, TV channels: Heat vs Cavaliers | Magic vs Celtics | Pistons vs Knicks | Bucks vs Pacers | Grizzlies vs Thunder | Warriors vs Rockets | Timberwolves vs Lakers | Clippers vs Nuggets | Daily schedule | First-round matchups
The site’s formula predicts that Los Angeles will defeat Denver in Game 7 of the NBA postseason series.
NBA playoffs game picks, predictions, odds: Cavaliers vs Heat | Celtics vs Magic | Knicks vs Pistons | Pacers vs Bucks | Thunder vs Grizzlies | Rockets vs Warriors | Lakers vs Timberwolves | Nuggets vs Clippers | Betting: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders
Dimers: Nuggets 104, Clippers 102
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives the Clippers a win probability of 45%, while the Nuggets have a win probability of 55%.”
Pickswise: Bet the Nuggets to cover vs Clippers in Game 7
It writes: “This is a complete toss-up if you ask me, and I wouldn’t be shocked if either team won. However, I’m still inclined to give a small edge to the Nuggets simply because they have Jokic and what will almost certainly be a raucous crowd behind them at Ball Arena. He was relatively quiet in Game 6, and going out as the higher seed in a Game 7 in back-to-back seasons wouldn’t look good on his resume. Give me the Joker and his Nuggets to cover and advance.”
vegasodds.com: Bet the under in Clippers vs Nuggets Game 7
It writes: “This is the 6th Game 7 for Jokic and Murray, and they play at home. Though, the Clippers have veterans as well. Games 5 and 6 saw both teams shooting over 50% from the field, and we don’t believe that’s going to repeat in Game 7. That’s why we pick under 205.5 points. This is win or go home, and the defense will be much tougher.”
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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