posted November 20, 2009 at 20:00 EST in NBA Free Picks
NBA Lock Alert – Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Nuggets (-9) at Clippers (+9)
(O/U) 205½
Tonight at 10:30 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets (8-3 SU, 6-5 ATS, 6-5 O/U) are looking like serious Western Conference title contender behind MVP candidate Carmelo Anthony.
The Los Angeles Clippers(4-9 SU, 4-9 ATS, 5-8 O/U) are rebuilding and have some talented young players in Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Marcus Thornton.
The two Western Conference opponents with different agendas will meet at the Staples Center tonight at 10:30 PM ET.
Key Trends
- Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
- Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
- Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
- Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
The Nuggets at a glance
The Nuggets have won two consecutive games and three of four coming into this matchup while covering the spread in each of their last two contests.
The Nuggets spanked the Toronto Raptors 130-112 on Tuesday night behind Anthony’s team-high 32 points and J.R. Smith’s 29 points, covering the NBA point spread for pro basketball betting enthusiasts as 10-point home favorites.
The Clippers at a glance
L.A. has lost two straight and five of six overall, including their 106-91 road loss to Memphis on Wednesday that I correctly predicted in the BetUS NBA Locker Room for pro basketball betting members that day.
Veteran point guard Baron Davis scored a team-high 23 points with five assists but the Clippers allowed the Grizzlies to shoot a mind-boggling 54.3 percent from the field in the loss.
Analysis: While these two ballclubs have just a one-point defense points allowed differential, the fact that the Nuggets average 12 points per game more than the Clippers tells me the Nuggets are going to cruise to a solid NBA point spread cover in this contest.
The recent loss of explosive shooting guard Eric Gordon to injury, even more so than the preseason loss of Blake Griffin, has hampered the Clippers’ ability to keep up with good teams in a big way.
I’m sure George Karl has let his ballclub know they can’t suffer a letdown in a road game like this and I think the Nuggets will put this team away early before cruising to victory with their substitutes getting some meaningful minutes.
Take the Nuggets to win and cover the spread for the third straight game.
