The Los Angeles Clippers will be out to stop the Denver Nuggets
six-game winning streak while trying to end a skid or two of their own when the
two teams collide tonight in Denver. Tip-off is 8:00 PM ET from the Pepsi
Center.
The Nuggets are favored by -6 in the NBA odds
with the total at 204.5.
Los
Angeles (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS) has dropped four in a row on the road and nine straight
in Denver. Chris Paul wasn’t with the team during the Colorado portion of the
losing streak and the Clippers are hoping he can help push the Clippers over
the top in the Rocky Mountains. Paul had 18 points and seven assists in a 98-91
win over Memphis on Thursday while Blake Griffin led with 20 points, nine
rebounds and eight assists.
The Clippers have given up 106.0 points per
game on 51.0-percent shooting during their road losing streak. They’ve also allowed
109.6 per contest against the Nuggets during the skid. LA will have to turn in
an improved defensive effort against Denver which leads the league in scoring
(105.8 ppg).
The
Nuggets (14-5 SU & ATS) have been on a tear averaging 109.7 points per game
during the winning streak with Danilo Gallinari leading the way.
Gallinari was a key component in the
blockbuster trade that sent Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York in
exchange for practically everyone not
named Amare Stoudemire or Toney Douglas. He signed a four-year, $42 million
contract extension Wednesday then celebrated his new found wealth by scoring 21
points in a 96-81 win over Toronto two nights later. The Italian sharpshooter
is averaging 25.5 points per game in the last four games and leads the time in
scoring (17.9 ppg). He’s on one of six Denver players averaging in double-digit
scoring.
In the victory over the Raptors, Coach George
Karl showed off the NBA’s deepest team. Nene added a double-double with 20
points and 10 rebounds, Rudy Fernandez scored a season-high 23 and the ageless
Andre Miller added 13 points, 12 assists and six rebounds.
Point guard Ty Lawson (15.7 points, 6.5
assists per game) missed Friday’s game with a sprained ankle but won’t miss a
chance to play against Paul.
Denver
Domination
At 14-5, the Nuggets are off to the best
19-game start in team history. Aside from the fact they reside in the same
division with the team holding the best record in the NBA — Oklahoma City — the
Nuggets are at least two games clear of every other team in the Western Conference.
What’s the winning formula? Denver beats the
teams they should and they take care
of business at home.
Against teams with a losing record, the
Nuggets are 9-1 and at the Pepsi Center they’re 7-2 SU & 6-3 ATS.
It’s been two years since the Nuggets have
won 12 games in a month. They’re sitting on 12 with two more games left in January.
Trends
Denver is 9-1-1 ATS in its last 11 games vs.
Pacific Division teams. The Nuggets are on a 5-1 ATS streak dating back to
January 17 and are Denver is 57-17 against the Clippers all-time in Denver.
The Clippers have alternated ATS wins and
losses dating back to January 16.
The home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10
series meetings while the ‘under’ is on a 19-7 streak.
Harvey’s Take: It’s my game of the week. Denver is tough, talented,
deep, well-coached and playing at home. Don’t get me wrong, the Clippers have
improved but right now they’re not in Denver’s league.
Grab
some Nuggets tonight in your NBA picks and good luck!