Clippers vs. Nuggets: Game 7 Preview and Predictions
As the NBA playoffs heat up, the Clippers face the Nuggets in a critical Game 7 showdown this Saturday, with stakes running high for both teams.
The first Game 7 of the 2025 NBA playoffs has arrived: the Nuggets vs. Clippers. The Los Angeles Clippers secured a crucial win in Game 6 to bring the series to a climactic finish. Now, it’s up to the Denver Nuggets to defend their home court on Saturday night. This series has been one of the most exciting of the postseason, but all prior results are irrelevant now. The victor will proceed to vie against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals, while the loser will face elimination.
Now that the 2025 NBA postseason has commenced, the basketball betting market is more vibrant than ever. CBS Sports will provide daily picks throughout the postseason. Sam Quinn will offer at least one pick for each game leading up to the NBA Finals.
Clippers at Nuggets Information
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Date: Saturday, May 3
TV Channel: TNT
Live Stream: Max
Odds: Nuggets -1.5, O/U 207.5
Predictions and Picks
Odds via [FanDuel]
Conventional wisdom suggests favoring the home team in Game 7s. Historically, home teams have won approximately 80% of such games. However, that trend hasn’t held strongly in recent postseasons. Out of 12 Game 7s since the Orlando bubble, road teams have triumphed eight times. Essentially, the question is which team appears stronger. By a narrow margin, I believe the Clippers are the superior team, having outscored the Nuggets during the series. They possess the capability of deeply challenging Nikola Jokić, whereas Denver’s defense mostly relies on hoping the weakest shooter misses.
Pick: Clippers +1.5
Always favor unders in Game 7s. Offense tends to be limited in these games. After six matches, teams usually know each other’s strategies so well that they can anticipate plays. The last 23 Game 7s have averaged around 198 total points; this line is significantly higher, considering both teams are not heavy 3-point shooting squads. Can you trust role players to perform in such high-pressure circumstances? I don’t think so. Always go with the under.
Pick: Under 207.5
Let’s proceed with the trend of low-scoring Game 7s. Jokić has averaged 16.6 rebounds across five Game 7s. This is due to the fact that teams often miss plenty of shots, coupled with Jokić’s hours on the court with Denver’s season on the line. In those five games, he has never recorded fewer than 13 rebounds. Why would that change now?
Pick: Jokić Over 12.5 Rebounds
