Los Angeles Clippers vs Sacramento Kings: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

When: Thursday, January 10th, at 9:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): Fox Sports Prime Ticket, Altitude | AM 570 LA Sports, KKSE-FM 92.5/KKSE 950

Los Angeles Clippers (Away)

Head Coach: Doc Rivers {All-Time 869-640 | ORL, BOS, LAC}

If someone said at the beginning of the season that the Los Angeles Clippers would be a playoff team, let alone a top four team, let alone four places above their hometown rivals the Los Angeles Lakers, you’d be hard-pressed to believe them.

With a fantastic 23-16 record to cap off the top four of the Western Conference, the Clippers have been an absolute revelation this season. It was hard to predict how they would be, losing the likes of Griffin, Paul, and Jordan, but they’ve stood firm with an appealing brand of team basketball.

The Clippers are taking on the best of the West against the Denver Nuggets. While the Clippers can score with anyone in the league, the Nuggets defence coupled with the sheer elevation of Denver will always make for a tough night.

Denver Nuggets (Home)

Head Coach: Mike Malone {All-Time 184-206 | SAC, DEN}

Very little could dampen the spirits of the Denver Nuggets at this point in the season. Leading the Western Conference over the likes of the powerhouse Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder, is surely a massive confidence boost for the young Nuggets.

With a record of 26-12, the Nuggets are comfortably at the top of the West despite the Warriors being right on their tail. Denver has also put on an excellent display over the last ten games with a record of 7-3 with an impressive +4.9 point differential in the difficult West.

They take on the Clippers who can challenge the Nuggets in one-on-one situations like few other teams can. The Nuggets were blown out in their last meeting against the Clippers in LA, so they’ll be looking to exact some revenge on their home court.

What’s At Stake?

The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers have met their fair share of times as Western Conference foes. In 135 regular season games, the Nuggets lead the tightly contested series 70-65 over the Clippers.

Tied for fourth in the West with the Houston Rockets, a win for the Los Angeles Clippers would break the tie and grant them sole possession of fourth in the West.

In first place but just a game ahead of the second place Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets will desire a win to help separate themselves from the current champions.

Questions to answer

Will the Clippers punish the Nuggets at the line?

Can the Nuggets beat the Clippers on the boards?

We are going to compare the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

The Clippers are first in free-throw rate

While the Clippers play a satisfying style of team basketball, they boast a number of isolation threats that can get to the free throw line on their own. Tobias Harris, Lou Williams, and Danilo Gallinari are all capable one-on-one in half court sets.

It is important to note though that the Clippers have players that attack the offensive glass and get to the free-throw line in that fashion. Between Montrezl Harrell and Boban Marjanovic, the Clippers are formidable on the glass at both ends of the court.

The Denver Nuggets are not a weak defensive team by any means. However for the Clippers, the best way to take out a teams best defenders is to get them in foul trouble. Look for LA to attack Jokic off the screen and roll, as his slow feet tend to be a liability on the defensive end.

The Nuggets are first in Offensive Rebound Percentage

With an offensive rebounding percentage of 28%, the Nuggets are far and away first in the league. With players like Nikola Jokic, Mason Plumlee, and Juan Hernangomez attacking the glass, it is not surprising how well they’ve found second opportunities.

The Nuggets rely on their rebounding on both ends of the court to initiate their offence and define their defence. When Jokic acquires a rebound, you see the true Nuggets offence initiate as he leads the break and initiates the offence like a point guard.

It will be a tough night on the glass for the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers have the biggest man in the NBA in Marjanovic and one of the leagues premier energy players in Montrezl Harrell. But if the Nuggets can neutralize the Clippers on the glass, it’ll be an easy night.

Los Angeles Clippers Roster Notes

F Luc Mbah a Moute – Out (Knee) – Mbah a Moute was ruled OUT for Tuesday’s (Jan 8) game.

Denver Nuggets Roster Notes

G-F Will Barton – Day To Day (Right Hip/Core Strain) – Barton was listed as OUT for Monday’s (Jan 7) game.

F Michael Porter Jr – Out (Back) – Porter Jr. is still without a timetable for return according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post.

G Isaiah Thomas – Out (Hip) – Thomas is hoping to return to action sometime this month, according to a report from the Denver Post.

F Jarred Venderbilt – Out (Foot) – Vanderbilt is still a couple weeks from returning according to Harrison Wind of BSN Denver.

Head-to-Head: Patrick Beverley vs Jamal Murray

Patrick Beverley

7.0 PPG | 3.4 APG | 3.7 RPG | 0.6 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 1.1 TOV | .380 FG% | .360 3P%

Jamal Murray

18.4 PPG | 5.0 APG | 4.6 RPG | 0.9 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 2.5 TOV | .427 FG% | .333 3P%

It’s an offence versus defence matchup in the NBA on this evening as rugged defender Patrick Beverly takes on sharpshooter Jamal Murray. Both players fulfill wildly different roles on their respective team, so it will be a matchup of styles as they go head-to-head.

Patrick Beverley is about as steady a guard as you can have in the NBA. While not spectacular in any particular traditional category, he rarely creates mistakes and capitalizes on open looks when necessary. He is still one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders and he will surely be making a point out of slowing the Nuggets many young offensive threats.

Jamal Murray is making his case for an all-star berth this season, as he is posting career highs in almost every category. After going through a shooting slump at the beginning of the year, Murray’s percentages have steadily risen and he has become a fantastic weapon for the Nuggets.

Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Denver Nuggets favoured over the Los Angeles Clippers by 5.5, with an over/under of 110.