Ranking top Western Conference threats to OKC Thunder in NBA Playoffs
Here are the five biggest threats to the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference this playoffs.
The No. 4-seeded Denver Nuggets will face the No. 5-seeded Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Denver (ESPN). Denver (50-32) and Los Angeles (50-32) split their four-game regular-season series.
Here’s a look at how the first-round matchup is projected to play out:
First-round picks: Thunder vs Grizzlies | Lakers vs Timberwolves | Rockets vs Warriors | Cavaliers vs Heat | Pacers vs Bucks | Knicks vs Pistons | Celtics vs Magic
Nuggets vs Clippers series prediction, picks
Justin Martinez: Los Angeles, 4-3
Kawhi Leonard is playing elite basketball right now. He’s averaging 26.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals through six games this month, and he’s shooting 53.8% from the field and 50% from deep. Health is obviously a concern for the star forward. But if Leonard can stay healthy, Los Angeles has all the tools to win this series. The Clippers have two other reliable scorers in James Harden and Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac is also a strong rim protector. He held Nikola Jokic to just 4-for-16 shooting from the field (25%) in 30 minutes of regular-season matchups. That’s better than any player who matched up with Jokic for more than 15 minutes. Give me the Clippers in seven.
BetMGM: Los Angeles (-125) is the favorite to win the first-round playoff series vs Denver
Los Angeles opened as a -125 favorite to beat Denver in the first round of the playoffs.
Series winner: Los Angeles -125 | Denver +105Win in 4: Los Angeles +1100 | Denver +1300Win in 5: Los Angeles +550 | Denver +550Win in 6: Los Angeles +400 | Denver +775Win in 7: Los Angeles +550 | Denver +400Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 1 betting odds
Odds via BetMGM as of Wednesday, April 16
Odds: Nuggets by 2.5Over/under: 224.5Moneyline: Denver -140 | Los Angeles +115
ESPN gives Denver a 60.9% chance to win in Game 1 on Saturday.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers playoff schedule
All times are Central Time (CT)
Game 1: Los Angeles at Denver, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19 (ESPN)Game 2: Los Angeles at Denver, 9 p.m. Monday, April 21 (TNT)Game 3: Denver at Los Angeles, TBD Thursday, April 24 (NBA TV)Game 4: Denver at Los Angeles, 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26 (TNT)Game 5 (If necessary): Los Angeles at Denver, TBD Tuesday, April 29 (TBD)Game 6 (If necessary): Denver at Los Angeles, TBD Thursday, May 1 (TBD)Game 7 (If necessary): Los Angeles at Denver, TBD Saturday, May 3 (TBD)
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