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

[Dubnation]

Clippers in 5

[facothomas22]

The Clippers are going a be a really tough matchup for the Nuggets. While the Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, the supporting cast around him are inferior compared to the Clippers supporting cast. Kawhi Leonard is atleast getting back to all star form and I think Zubic and Norman Powell are more dependable compared to Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordan. Kris Dunn is one of the better guard defenders in the NBA and will cause a lot of issues for the Nuggets backcourt with or without Jamaal Murray. The Clippers bench is also a lot more productive than the Nuggets bench, so the Nuggets have to rely on their starting significantly out producing their starters. Then also consider that the Nuggets are coming a a regular season where they fired their head coach heading into the playoffs. Usually that yields bad results. Maybe I see the Nuggets in 7 depending if Jamaal Murray play and how well the Nuggets starters perform, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's Clippers in 6 or even less games.

[makubesu]

I don’t see how the Nuggets are aiming for anything but Cancun at this point. Firing your coach before the playoffs is nuts. Meanwhile the Clippers are completely locked in. I’m giving Denver two wins though because sometimes Jokic just fills up the scoreboard.

[xb3at band1tx]

This is a tough one. Clippers are red hot, if you could assure me today Kawhi is and will be healthy than I'd pick them in 7.

But things are never that easy, my concern for Denver is what am I getting from Murray?

[Wolfgang630]

“joker is the best player, but his supporting cast is by far inferior to the opponents team”. This has basically been the story of his career.

[Iwasawitness]

On one hand, I don't like this from a matchup perspective for the Nuggets. The clippers have been an elite defensive team and have some really terrific offensive players too.

On the other hand... the Clippers have and rely heavily on James Harden, which in the playoffs means you're practically playing 4 on 5 basketball at that point, on both ends of the floor mind you.

If the Clippers somehow manage to get great performances out of Harden while Kawhi and Powell do great, they win this series. But if we get the typical James Harden that we all know and love in the postseason, this is the Nuggets for the taking.

[RunOKC]

Clips in 6

[Black star]

I think this was the best matchup for the Nuggets out of Clips, Warriors, and Wolves. The Clips offense is good but it's basically the James Harden system with Kawhi doing Kawhi things off to the side and Zu as an option. Basically it doesn't feel like an offense designed to attack the Nuggets worst defensive weaknesses, containing elite perimeter talent and defending the rim. Harden is good but this version of him isn't living at the rim or impossible to keep in front of you.

If the Nuggets defense can hold the fort against that offense I like the Nuggets offense against the Clips defense. Jokic is playing too good to be slowed down right now. Add in homecourt and I'm leaning Nuggets in 7

[HardenGoat]

On one hand, I don't like this from a matchup perspective for the Nuggets. The clippers have been an elite defensive team and have some really terrific offensive players too.

On the other hand... the Clippers have and rely heavily on James Harden, which in the playoffs means you're practically playing 4 on 5 basketball at that point, on both ends of the floor mind you.

If the Clippers somehow manage to get great performances out of Harden while Kawhi and Powell do great, they win this series. But if we get the typical James Harden that we all know and love in the postseason, this is the Nuggets for the taking.

I trust Kawhi more than Embiid. Harden can win a couple but Kawhi could win all of them if he’s fully healthy. Harden was injured in Brooklyn along with Kyrie missing both years. Before that it was injured Russ then injured CP3.

[TheFire]

Most intriguing matchup for me in the 1st round. While Nuggets have the best player in the league, the Clippers are firing on all cylinders and finally healthy. They have way more depth and I have questions about Murray’s health/form and how their inexperience coach will deal with the playoffs. I Clippers winning in 6 or 7 games.

[homecourtloss]

Might be the most talented 4/5 series ever with the MVP Jokic and Kawhi + Harden playing at a high level. Then you have Zubac, Powell, Bogo, Murray, Gordon. Either team could beat any other team in a series.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Might the most talented 4/5 series ever with the MVP Jokic and Kawhi + Harden playing at a high level. Then you have Zubac, Powell, Bogo, Murray, Gordon. Either team could beat any other team in a series.

Harden + Kawhi (2024 & 2025): 2456 Minutes, +9.79 Net Rtg
Jokic - Murray (2024 & 2025): 2262 Minutes, +8.78 Net Rtg

This series is going to be interesting. Jokic once against finds himself in a situation with a sub-optimal supporting cast while the Clippers could have the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th best players in this series (Kawhi, Harden, Zubac, Powell).

[SpurNani]

Nuggets in 6.

I like the Clippers but man i just can't fully trust Kawhi to hold up playing every other night. Nuggets look good since firing Malone, a better energy from them. Should be a competitive series but best player in close games advantage goes to Denver.

[John Murdoch]

Nuggets in 7 feels like my gut instinct , should be a solid series to watch as a nuetral

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I've got LAC in 6. I think Denver is falling apart while the Clippers are starting to gel. Provided they can remain healthy, I think they can beat Denver. Jokic will go nuclear, but they'll fall short.

[homecourtloss]

Clippers are slight favorites but going Nuggets in 7

Clippers are like +115 to +124 dogs everywhere.

[HardenGoat]

Clippers are slight favorites but going Nuggets in 7

Clippers are like +115 to +124 dogs everywhere.

Clippers have been underdogs all season.

[levon]

This is most likely going 7. Both benches are a bit thin imo. Nuggets really lack perimeter creation, but they can muck up the Clippers' PnR game with Jokic and Gordon. If the Denver role players show up, I have the Nuggets winning this in 7 especially because they have the most poweful HCA in the league.

[ArksNetsSince99]

Nuggets in 5. It's demolition time.

The specter of Malone isn't hanging over the team. This is the best possible matchup for them.

That’s my vote , Denver in 5

[Mamba Mentality]

Clippers opening up as underdogs is wild to me. I’m hammering the **** out of them, easy money.