It will all come down to this.

The Denver Nuggets fell behind 3-1 for the second straight series and will try and pull off the unthinkable - defeat the L.A. Clippers in a deciding Game 7 to advance to the Western Conference finals.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AMERICA’S BOOKIE EXPANDED BETTING BOARD

This is now the Nuggets fourth playoff series in the last two seasons. All four series have gone seven games. Does Denver have another win left in the tank?

Maybe, but the Nuggets performance in this series says otherwise.

Game:  Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers

When:  9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Where: AdventHealth Arena, Wesley Chapel, Florida

Current Line: -7.5      Total: 207.5

TV Coverage: ESPN

Tale of Two Stories

In their three wins, the Nuggets have scored 110, 111, and 111 points. The story has been different in their three losses, as most basketball bettors will tell you. Denver’s average in the three losses is 96.3 points per game.

In Denver’s first two wins, the difference in each game was essentially two good quarters by the Nuggets. In Game 2 for example, Denver scored 44 points in the first quarter then scored 66 points the rest of the night to hold on and win.

Game 6 was more of the same. The Clippers led 63-47 at the half. They proceeded to play two more underwhelming quarters of basketball in the second half to allow the Nuggets to even up the series.

Stayin’ Alive

Denver won the third quarter 30-16 and the fourth quarter 34-19 to overcome that halftime deficit and stay alive in the series.

Why I Like Betting NBA Basketball Totals

So, the Nuggets have played a total of 24 quarters in the series with L.A. They averaged roughly 40 points per quarter in four of them. The other 20? Denver averages about 23 points per quarter.

The fact they are even still alive is an indication of just how underwhelming the Clippers have been.

Clippers > Nuggets

There is no question that the Clippers roster is more talented, but they seem to be relying only on that talent. One of the big problems is the bench. With Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams, the Clippers have possibly the best bench in the league. Like the rest of the Clippers, Harrell and Williams have been so-so this series.

Where does that leave us? With the spread set at 7.5, Denver’s ability to fight and keep the score close is scary. Plus, the Clippers are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games. 

Denver happens to be 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games, which is worth some consideration. The better play though is on the Totals at your friendly all-inclusive sportsbook.

The Pick

The Under is 4-0-1 in the series. The total has gone Under in six of Denver’s last seven games. The Under has also hit in six of the last seven Clippers games.

The Clippers are only averaging 107 points per game in the series and with the Nuggets averaging just over 96 in their losses, the Under looks like a strong play for my NBA free pick. 

It would be a solid play but with the total now down to 207.5, it’s time for the Over to pop. The Clippers will come out strong and play like a team that averaged 116 points per game this season. The Lakers-Clippers series that everyone wants to see is coming soon as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George heat up in Game 7.

NBA Free Pick: Nuggets-Clippers OVER 207.5