Although the NBA season seems like it just restarted, because it did, we have already made it to the final stretch of seeding games. On Wednesday, two of the top three teams in the Western Conference square off inside the bubble, as the second-seeded Clippers will meet the third-seeded Nuggets.
The Clippers are coming off of a surprising loss to the Nets, while the Nuggets come in after getting edged out by the Lakers. Both teams are 3-3 from inside the bubble. The Nuggets could still steal the second seed from the Clippers, but they need to win out, while the Clippers would need to lose their remaining two games.
With so much to play for so late in the season, this matchup should bring us all some fireworks. That should go for many of the NBA’s remaining games. Now that it’s crunch time, the final few seeding and play-in games could be incredible. Tip-off is set for 9 pm ET.
The Battle of Los Angeles
If the Clippers can muster the strength to beat the Nuggets on Wednesday, they’ll have the second seed in the West locked up. The two Los Angeles teams will finish 1-2 in the battle for Western Conference supremacy. Unfortunately for the Clippers, Denver isn’t their only adversary this week.
They’re also battling some late-season injuries. Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and Landry Shamet have all been ruled out for Wednesday’s game. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will have to shoulder even more of the load for the Clippers to complete their season as the two seed.
Offensively, they should be fine. Without Beverley and Harrell, their defense and rebounding ability will both be affected. Those will be the places that the team’s leaders will need to step it up. Harrell averages over seven rebounds per game while Beverley puts up 1.2 steals per contest.
Rocky Mountain Highs
I’m not sure how many NBA aficionados predicted that the Nuggets could finish in the top three in the Western Conference, but I, for one, did not. They’ve been playing a little banged up lately, but still getting the job done.
They were able to get Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap back on the floor but will be without Gary Harris and Will Barton on Wednesday. Barton has averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists this season and will be missed, but shouldn’t hinder the Nuggets from bringing their A-game.
Against the Numbers
The Clippers have been one of the best teams in the league to get against the spread this season. They come in 39-31. The Nuggets have failed to cover more than 50% of the time this season but have been on a heater in the bubble.
The Clippers are favored by 5.5 points in this matchup, but with everything on the line, that could be a tough cover. The 5.5-point spread should mean nothing to a hot Nuggets team playing for seeding. Take the Nuggets +5.5. Good luck.
