The Eastern Conference Finals matchup is set, but that’s not yet the case in the Western Conference. The LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets are competing for a spot in the Western Conference Finals, and they will meet up for Game 6 of their semifinal series on Sunday.
The Clippers had a chance to eliminate the Nuggets in Game 5, but Denver used a late comeback to propel itself to a 111-105 victory. The Nuggets will be playing for their postseason lives again in this one.
The Clippers are 8.5-point favorites over the Nuggets on Sunday.
Dynamic Duo Carrying Clippers
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George agreed to team up in Los Angeles this season, and this duo of stars is carrying the Clippers so far in these playoffs. Leonard and George combined for 62 points in the Game 5 loss, but they need more help from their teammates.
The Clippers did make 16 three-pointers in the loss on Friday night, but George and Leonard combined for nine of them. One of the biggest strengths for Los Angeles is its depth, and it needs its bench to play well in this game.
Los Angeles has remained a solid defensive team throughout the postseason, but it has struggled to contain Nikola Jokic in this series. Look for the Clippers to try and pressure the Nuggets’ guards to make things difficult.
The Clippers want to put this series away as quickly as possible in an effort to get some rest before the start of the Western Conference Finals.
Nuggets Must Make Shots
If the Denver Nuggets are going to keep their season alive with a win in Game 6, this team will have to make shots. Denver shot 44 percent from deep on Friday night, and it could use a similar performance in this game.
Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 48 points on Friday night, and these two stars have continued to show up when their team needs it the most. The Clippers have struggled to defend these two players, and they will likely have big offensive games in Game 6.
Denver does not have the same amount of depth as the Clippers, but its bench has to play better in this game. The Nuggets got just 29 bench points in the Game 5 victory, and they will need a bigger scoring output from their reserves in Game 6.
Clippers Close Out Series
The Nuggets have been a resilient team all season long, and they are making life difficult for the Clippers. Eventually, the gap in talent will take over, which will allow the Clippers to pull away in this game.
Denver simply doesn’t have enough offense to keep up, and its season will come to an end on Sunday. The Nuggets will keep things interesting, but the Clippers come away with a comfortable win.
Bet the LA Clippers -8.5 over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of this series.
