Denver Nuggets vs La Clippers Picks and Predictions April 21st 2025

Clippers Look to Bounce Back vs Nuggets in Game 2

The Los Angeles Clippers were this close to stealing Game 1 on the road, but 20 turnovers, including seven from Kawhi Leonard, ultimately led to a tough 112-110 overtime loss against the Denver Nuggets.

Still, there’s no panic in the Clippers’ locker room—just urgency. They did a lot right, including holding Denver to just 49 first-half points and controlling the pace early. Now it’s about cleaning up the details and bouncing back.

“We’re in good shape,” said coach Tyronn Lue. “We just have to do what we’re supposed to do.”

Stars Show Up, But Strategy Needs Tweaking

James Harden was steady throughout Game 1, and Ivica Zubac anchored the paint with toughness. Leonard? Efficient as ever—he dropped 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting and helped LA outscore Denver 36-28 in the paint by halftime.

But the second half saw LA drift away from what was working. Rather than sticking to aggressive paint attacks, the offense got stagnant. It’s an area they’ll need to stay locked in on if they want to even the series before heading back to LA.

“We’ll be better,” Harden said. “It’s frustrating because the mistakes were on us. But the confidence is still there.”

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Nuggets Survive a Sloppy Start

Nikola Jokic did Jokic things again—27 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds—but the real difference-maker late was Russell Westbrook. He knocked down a clutch three, then delivered a massive stop on defense in the final moments of OT.

Westbrook logged the final 13+ minutes of the game, while Michael Porter Jr. watched from the bench. Porter started strong but disappeared after his opening three-pointer, struggling to get open looks and finishing with just that one basket.

Interim coach David Adelman explained the decision.

“I didn’t want to put him in a tough spot after sitting that long,” Adelman said. “The five guys out there got it done defensively.”

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Clippers’ Defense Making Noise

While the narrative may focus on LA’s turnovers, don’t overlook what they’re doing on defense. Denver’s spacing was a mess in stretches of Game 1, largely thanks to LA’s length and rotations. Porter’s lack of involvement? Not just his fault.

Should that continue in Game 2, we might see more Westbrook and less Porter—unless Porter asserts himself both offensively and defensively.

“If he’s engaged, knocking down shots—he’ll be out there,” Adelman confirmed.

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Key Things to Watch in Game 2

• Turnover Battle: The Clippers can’t afford to gift possessions. Fix this, and Game 2 could swing their way.
• Paint Attacks: Will LA recommit to aggressive rim pressure like they showed in the first half of Game 1?
• Porter’s Response: Will he bounce back and earn crunch-time minutes?
• Role Players: Keep an eye on Zubac, Norman Powell, and Bones Hyland—secondary guys could decide this one.

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FAQs

What went wrong for the Clippers in Game 1?
Turnovers—20 of them—killed momentum. Kawhi Leonard had 7 himself.

Who were the standout players in Game 1?
Jokic had 27/12/9 for Denver. Leonard, Harden, and Zubac were key for LA.

Why didn’t Michael Porter Jr. play late?
Coach Adelman benched him due to spacing issues and opted for a stronger defensive unit.

Can the Clippers bounce back in Game 2?
Absolutely. They controlled large parts of Game 1 and just need to clean up mistakes.

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Will there be changes to the Clippers’ rotation?
As of now, no. Ty Lue said he’s sticking with his Game 1 lineup unless it fails again.

Final Word

Game 1 was a missed opportunity for the Los Angeles Clippers, but not a lost cause. They showed they can contain Denver, dictate pace, and create inside opportunities. If they take care of the ball, Game 2 could be theirs.

The Denver Nuggets, meanwhile, will look to tighten things up, especially offensively, while riding Jokic and Westbrook’s momentum.

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