The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers clash for the third time this season. The Nuggets apparently have LA’s number this season, with two wins in two meetings, but can they make it three in a row? Or, will the Clippers shut down the reigning champs?

Catch this game live on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 11 AM, Manila time

Away: Denver Nuggets (14-7/5-7 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Jamal Murray (Questionable)
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• Michael Porter Jr.
• Aaron Gordon
• Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets cooled off a bit after losing to the Sacramento Kings on the road last Sunday, 123-117. That loss snapped Denver’s four-game undefeated streak, a stretch that included the Nuggets’ surprising 113-104 win against the Clippers on the road on Nov. 28. Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Aaron Gordon were all out in that game, but Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan dug deep and wrenched themselves out of every drop of revenge game fuel to lead the Nuggets, combining for 56 points, 18 rebounds, and 18 assists. 

Well, the Nuggets don’t have to ask for a semi-miracle like that this time, with Jokic and Gordon both healthy. Murray is a different story, as he’s missed the last two Nuggets games with an ankle issue. If Murray gets ruled out, the Nuggets, who are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven meeting with the Clippers,  should still be stable in the backcourt with Jackson likely to get a start.

Home: Los Angeles Clippers (9-10/6-3 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• James Harden
• Paul George
• Terance Mann
• Kawhi Leonard
• Ivica Zubac

The Clippers are coming off a thrilling 113-112 win over the Golden State Warriors last Sunday at home. Paul George rescued LA from the jaws of defeat with a clutch 3-pointer that ensured the Clippers wouldn’t suffer back-to-back losses to the Dubs. The challenge now for the Clippers is to solve Denver, which they haven’t beaten in two tries this season. Getting embarrassed by Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan was a wake-up call for the Clippers, who, despite an extremely talented roster, is more of a defensive team than an offensive one. 

So far in the 2023-24 NBA season, the Clippers are averaging just 112.9 points per game but are allowing only 109.7 points per outing. Their +3.3 average scoring margin is top 10 in the NBA, as of this writing. It is also a plus for the Clippers that all of the Nuggets’ seven losses this season have come when the defending world champions played as the road team. Conversely, the Clippers are 6-3 straight up in home games this season.

Spread: The Clippers (-1.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (225.5) hits the Under.