The Nuggets are hosting the Clippers for Game 2 of their first round playoff series Monday in Denver. In Saturday’s Game 1, the Nuggets defeated the Clippers in overtime 112-110.
Let’s explore how the public is betting Game 2 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Betting Splits
While its a pretty even split on the amount of bets on each team, most big bettors are expecting the Clippers to bounce back in Game 2, after the club blew a 15-point lead in Game 1, as 67% of the handle for moneyline bets is on Los Angeles and 72% of the handle on spread bets is backing the Clippers -1. The Nuggets are leading the season series with the Clippers 3-2, but Los Angeles simply has been the better team in the second half of the season and most of the money backing them makes a ton sense. Since the All-Star break, the Clippers rank fourth in net rating, while Denver ranks 19th. With most of the money coming in on Los Angeles, expect their -1 spread to move to -1.5 or -2 before tipoff.
As for the total, 69% of the handle and 74% of the bets are backing over 217.5 points. Game 1 produced 222 points, but this tilt went to overtime and 26 points were scored between the two teams in that extra period. This game only produced 196 regulation points and with another overtime contest very unlikely, fading the public and backing the under has merit. This season, the Clippers rank 22nd in pace and 51.9% of their games have gone under their total.
Most Popular Player Props
Here are the top five most-bet player props for tonight’s game:
- Nikola Jokic 30+ Points (+115)
- Nikola Jokic Yes for a Triple-Double (+115)
- Russell Westbrook Over 19.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-130)
- Kris Dunn 3+ Three Pointers Made (+650)
- Kris Dunn 2+ Three Pointers Made (+205)
Jokic for 30+ points is the most bet player prop for Game 2 on DraftKings Sportsbook and while the +115 odds for this wager are appealing, this bet isn’t a lock by any means. Despite Game 1 going to overtime, Jokic scored 29 points in this tilt and he has only scored 30+ points in one of his four matchups with the Clippers this season. Los Angeles ranks third in defensive rating this season and the Nuggets being at full strength is also an issue. In the 38 games Jokic has played alongside Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon this season, Jokic is averaging 26.8 PPG.
The second-most bet player prop for Game 2 also belongs to Jokic, with the center to record a triple-double at +115 odds. Jokic has notched a league-high 34 triple-doubles this season, but he has only one tallied one triple-double in four matchups with the Clippers this season. Los Angeles’s elite defense and slow pace makes them one of the worst matchups in the NBA, and Jokic’s +115 odds for a triple-double in this ugly spot are simply too short for this feat.
Westbrook for over 19.5 PRA is a popular bet Monday after the former MVP finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists across 34.3 minutes in the Nuggets’ Game 1 comeback win. Westbrook has now exceeded 19.5 PRA in four of his last five games, but its hard to expect another workload near 35 minutes for the veteran, as Game 2 likely won’t go to overtime and Michael Porter Jr. will likely get back to seeing big minutes, which will result in less playing time for Westbrook. Porter Jr. only logged 26 minutes in Game 1, but is averaging 33.7 minutes per game this season. While this over seems easy based on recent recent results, taking overs for bench players is always risky and backing the under feels smart for Westbrook in this ugly spot.
The fourth and fifth most bet player props for this tilt belong to Kris Dunn for the guard to hit 3+ three pointers and 2+ three pointers. Dunn has been big playing minutes for the Clippers, with over 30 minutes in three of his last four, but 3+ three pointers is a long shot bet for the veteran, which is reflected in these +650 odds. In 75 games this season, Dunn has only knocked down 3+ three pointers six times. Now, the 31-year-old for 2+ three pointers is far more likely and a solid bet to consider at +205. Dunn went 2-for-5 from beyond the arc in Game 1, which is the 20th time in his 75 games this season that he has made multiple three pointers.
