2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #4 Denver Nuggets vs #5 LA Clippers (DEN leads 1-0)

[Ballings7]

Clip Show in 5 games. Does not go 7.

Also, Clippers have played nearly all year without Kawhi and were still a solid team so it wouldn't really be over for them if something happens to Kawhi. LAC got used to that and developed chemistry already there.

People are overlooking Nic Batum for this series and his impact on both ends.

Russ' will have some moments, good and bad.

[Wolfgang630]

MPJ has got to show up. He’s so damn inconsistent. They need scoring badly from him. They need him to make his wide open shots. He’s getting paid all that money.

[scrabbarista]

With no Westbrook, Nuggets in 6.

With Westbrook... hmmm... I'm still thinking.

[scrabbarista]

Read on Twitter

"As long as you all don't do your jobs, no one will be traded?"

?

[scrabbarista]

I'll take the Nuggets in 7.
Went with my heart over my brain.

[ejftw]

Jokic homers seem to be having an existential crisis.

A. They are listing how good Jamal Murray, Braun, Gordon are etc.. and how the Clippers have no clear matchup advantages really.

B. After arguing all season that Jokic was carrying scrubs and the corpse of Murray.

Obviously both things cannot be true. Either Jokic did a carry job, or the Nuggets are a very good team period. Because the Clips aren’t a one man show. IF the Jokic homers are right that it’s only Jokic, Denver will lose in 5. Reality? Denver has several very good role players and it goes to 6-7 for me.

The Nuggets are trash, but id love to see Kawhi get PTSD flashbacks from the bubble and lose the series again.

No Paul Clifton Anthony George nor Turncoat Trez for bubble flashbacks

[scrabbarista]

No, I changed my mind. I've been dropping into game threads this season and quietly leaving this comment, to a grand total of roughly zero And1's:

"Maybe the Clippers will win the championship!"

They are going to be for me what Minnesota was last season: the team that will maybe win the championship. But didn't. But maybe will.

Give me Clippers in six! Final answer! Maybe the Clippers will win the championship!

(But I can't change my poll vote.)

[scrabbarista]

I forgot the Clippers have Simmons.

THEY WILL NOT WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Even if he plays 0 minutes.

If he is on the roster, they will not win the championship.

They may beat Denver, but they will not win the championship.

I'm back on Nuggets in 7!!!

Yeehaw!!!!!!

[GeorgeSears]

The big issue the Clippers are going to have to contend with is the Nuggets' size. Outside of big Zu, they don't have another big - or certainly a serviceable big. Ben Simmons is the next tallest guy, but he's giving up like 50 lbs to Jokic.

Can Big Zu stay out of foul trouble? That remains to be seen.

[durden_tyler]

Initially for the Nuggets (because of, obviously, Jokic) but reading up more on the Clippers and how they are one of the better/best teams the last month of the regular season, maybe consider flipping? Can we trust Kawhi's knees or Harden's poise this postseason?

[PeteyPablo]

The big issue the Clippers are going to have to contend with is the Nuggets' size. Outside of big Zu, they don't have another big - or certainly a serviceable big. Ben Simmons is the next tallest guy, but he's giving up like 50 lbs to Jokic.

Can Big Zu stay out of foul trouble? That remains to be seen.

Ben Simmons is 6’10” and 240lbs

They also have Drew Eubanks who is 6’10” and 245 lbs

Nic Batum plays the small ball 5 . He is 6’8” 230lbs

[picc]

If Ben Simmons sees the floor in this series, that is an unequivocal win for Denver.

As for the series, LA is a better team but I'll be damned if I bet on BOTH Harden not choking AND Kawhi staying healthy. Jokic is the best player by far in this series. I'm going with Denver in 6.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Initially for the Nuggets (because of, obviously, Jokic) but reading up more on the Clippers and how they are one of the better/best teams the last month of the regular season, maybe consider flipping? Can we trust Kawhi's knees or Harden's poise this postseason?

It was more like 6 weeks. Since March 1st they are the #1 team in net rating. That being said, Jokic can be trusted more than Kawhi’s knees probably. It’s funny though Harden keeps getting singled out when he’s been the least affected player all year. He’s either on or off and defense has little to do with it.

[elchengue20]

I'm going Clippers in 6.

They are currently playing much better as a team. If Khawi comeback is real they are going to win for sure. Plus they have Zubac who matchups well with Joker.

Nuggets defense is a mess. To have a chance they are going to need Jokic going nuts, specially with his shooting. And Murray playing like in their championship run.

[Clemenza]

Just let Jokic get his and lockdown on everyone else. Let's Go!

[SpreeS]

Good luck Denver with heathy Kawhi.

[Mavrelous]

Interested in what Ty Lue has for Jokic, he's one of the best defensive Xs and Os coaches in the league.

[kaansunman]

Kawhi's health is the big question mark of course but I think anyhow Clippers look sharper and ready for playoffs.
Not an ideal way to enter the playoffs for Nuggets, turbulance outside the court, inconsistency in the court will be a problem for Nuggets. They are not good defensively but I think it will be less problem them against slow pace, isolaton heavy Clippers offense.

Clippers in 6.

[TheGOATRises007]

If I can guarantee Kawhi stays healthy, I'd pick the Clippers in 6.

But he could get hurt at any point, so it's hard to bet on them.

[PlatinumState]

Im with Denver in 7 this series