Clippers vs. Nuggets – Game 7 Preview
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET • Ball Arena, Denver
Our Pick: Nuggets –1.5

Tonight’s Game 7 showdown at Ball Arena between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers is set to be an exhilarating finale to one of the most evenly matched first-round series of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Both teams have traded blows through six intense games, and now, with the series locked at three games apiece, everything comes down to this decisive matchup.

The Nuggets enter tonight’s contest as slight favorites, with oddsmakers giving them a -1.5 point spread. Several factors support this advantage, most notably their home-court dominance. Throughout the regular season, Denver compiled an impressive 26–15 home record, thriving in the altitude of Ball Arena—an environment notoriously difficult for visiting teams to navigate, especially under playoff pressure.

Central to Denver’s playoff success has been Nikola Jokić, whose postseason brilliance is defining this series. Jokić, averaging a triple-double with 25.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game, has continually disrupted the Clippers’ defensive plans. His extraordinary court vision and playmaking skills open scoring avenues for teammates, creating strategic problems that Los Angeles has struggled to consistently counter.

Complementing Jokić, Jamal Murray has delivered clutch performances, highlighted by his remarkable 43-point explosion in Game 5. Murray’s aggressive scoring approach, coupled with his capability to hit critical shots under pressure, provides Denver with a dynamic second option that the Clippers have found challenging to neutralize.

However, the Clippers will not back down easily, especially after James Harden’s stellar 28-point performance in Game 6 that kept their season alive. Kawhi Leonard’s veteran presence and defensive prowess further underscore the Clippers’ ability to challenge Denver tonight. Nevertheless, Los Angeles faces an uphill battle, particularly given their struggles on the road, where their record hovers around .500 at 20–21.

In essence, Denver’s advantages in star power, home-court comfort, and proven playoff resilience position them ideally to take this crucial Game 7. Expect Jokić to dictate the pace, Murray to provide decisive scoring bursts, and Denver’s altitude advantage to fatigue the Clippers late, ultimately allowing the Nuggets to secure the win and comfortably cover the -1.5 spread.

Key Stats at a Glance:

• Nikola Jokić: 25.3 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 10.5 APG
• Jamal Murray: 43 points in pivotal Game 5
• Denver’s strong home record (26–15) vs. Clippers’ struggles away (20–21)
• Denver’s high-powered offense averaging 120.8 PPG

Tonight, look for Denver to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals, leaning on their stars and home-court advantage to carry them through.