Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets – NBA, September 13, 2020

The Denver Nuggets were on the brink of elimination out of the playoffs in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers, but they responded magnificently in the final 12 minutes and secured a 111-105 victory. The Clippers are still massive favorites to make it to the Western Conference finals, but Denver showed quality and strength in crucial moments in Game 5, and the Nuggets cannot be written off on Sunday. The Game 6 tip-off is set at 1:00 PM ET.

These conference foes have faced eight times this season, and the Clippers are leading the series 5-3. Check out my Clippers vs. Nuggets betting prediction for Game 6.

The sportsbooks remain quite stubborn when it comes to the favorite role in this series, and even though Denver already won two games out of five, they are still giving the Clippers a firm favorite tag. The spread is set at -8 on the Clippers, while the total is the lowest so far; at 213.5, which is significantly lower than 217 from Game 5. That’s expected considering only one of five games in the series went Over.

The Clippers were in control for most of the game and had a double-digit lead on numerous occasions, including a 16-point lead in the third quarter. However, their defense let them down in the final 12 minutes and late in the game, allowing even 38 points and scoring 25 in return. Los Angeles shot 42.0% from the floor and just 28.0% in the fourth quarter, while the Nuggets had 61.1% from the field in that period.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 36 points, team-high nine rebounds, four assists, and game-high three steals. Paul George added 26 points, six boards, team-high six dimes, and two blocks, while Marcus Morris chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds. Lou Williams disappointed with just four points and five dishes off the bench, as he hit only two out of ten shots from the floor.

KAWHI WITH AUTHORITY@NBAonTNT | @kawhileonard pic.twitter.com/Euvc9xsgxw

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) September 11, 2020

Denver didn’t want to go out without a fight and not only they covered the spread in Game 5, but they also won and now are in a position to tie the series and force Game 7, which would be surprising. Michael Malone’s team impressed in the fourth quarter when everybody though they cannot get back to the tilt, let alone win in the end. The Nuggets hit even seven triples on nine attempts in the last 12 minutes, while the Clippers made only three on 13 tries.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 26 points, eight rebounds, and game-high seven assists. Nikola Jokic followed him with a double-double of 22 points, game-high 14 boards, five dishes, and two blocks, Paul Millsap had 17 points and six rebounds, while Jerami Grant finished the tilt with ten points, five boards, and a couple of rejections.

"We're not going to let these guys come in and just push us around."

The spark that fueled our 16-point comeback in Game 5 ⬇️#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/TRvHI7wUZ9

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) September 12, 2020

If you’re following our daily NBA betting picks, then you know that I backed the Nuggets to cover +8 spread, which they did. I am going to repeat that bet this time around because I don’t think the Clippers will have an easy job in Game 6, and the Nuggets are pretty much alive in the series. It’s not over until it’s over, so the Nuggets definitely have a chance on Sunday. I am not saying they will win and actually force Game 7, but I am backing them to cover the spread again and stay close.