Why the Clippers Will Upset the Nuggets in Round 1 | 2025 NBA Playoff Prediction

-


The 2025 NBA Playoffs are here, and one of the most compelling first-round matchups is set: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets. This isn’t just any 4 vs. 5 battle — it’s a showdown filled with revenge, red-hot momentum, and two of the league’s best squads ready to collide. And here’s the bold take: the Clippers are sending the Nuggets home early.

That’s right — Clippers in 6.

This blog post is based on the latest episode of Harrison Talks Pod (HTP Ep 26), where I broke down every first-round series and explained why the Clippers are a legit dark horse contender to win it all. 

1. How the Clippers Entered the Playoffs on Fire 

Since March 5, the Clippers have been 18-3, one of the league’s hottest teams heading into the postseason.

In their final game, they delivered a clutch OT win over the Warriors, locking in the 5th seed and dodging the Play-In Tournament. That game featured Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combining for 72 points, 17 assists, and 13 rebounds. Harden was orchestrating the offense, and Kawhi looked like 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi again.

Ivica Zubac dominated the paint with 22 points and 17 boards, punishing Golden State’s small-ball lineups. It was a statement win — and the Clippers now enter the playoffs with serious momentum.

2. Why the Clippers Match Up Well with Denver 

The Nuggets have one of the biggest superstars in the league, but they’re not untouchable. In fact, this version of the Clippers may be one of the worst matchups Denver could’ve drawn.

Defensively, the Clippers have elite length and versatility with Kawhi Leonard, Kris Dunn, and Derrick Jones Jr. who can rotate onto Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. They can throw different looks at Nikola Jokic too — from physicality with Zubac to switching wings in traps.

Offensively, Harden’s facilitation opens up easy buckets for everyone. And with Bogdanovic, Norman Powell, and Zubac in rhythm, the Clippers can play inside-out and stretch the floor.

Denver hasn’t been fully consistent down the stretch, while L.A. has surged — not just with wins, but with confidence. Also worth noting: David Adelman is now leading the Nuggets bench after Michael Malone stepped aside late in the season. Could that inexperience show under playoff pressure?

3. Revenge and Motivation 

Let’s not forget 2020.

The Clippers famously blew a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets in the bubble — a collapse that still haunts the franchise’s legacy. But this isn’t the same squad. Kawhi is healthy, the supporting cast is deeper, and there’s a clear sense of purpose and redemption.

They want this one badly — and you can see it in the body language. They’re playing like a team that knows it can win the West. Jokic might still be the best player in the series, but the Clippers have more to prove, and they’ve built the team to back it up.

4. Series Prediction: Clippers in 6 

I’m calling it now: Clippers in 6.

They’ll steal one early in Denver, ride the energy of their home crowd in Games 3 and 4, and close it out in Game 6 at home.I won't be surprised if it goes seven. The Clippers are too locked in and too well-built for this moment.

Even if Jokic drops 40 in a loss — which he very well might — it only highlights how much Denver will have to rely on one man to carry them. And in the playoffs, depth and hunger win games.

5. What This Means for the Western Conference 

If the Clippers knock out the Nuggets, the entire Western Conference bracket explodes.

Suddenly, teams like the Thunder and Lakers face a drastically different path. The Clippers would most likely face the Thunder in round 2 and this could be the hardest matchup of the entire playoffs. 

The NBA Playoffs 2025 could be the year the Clippers finally break through — not as a flashy contender, but as a balanced, battle-tested unit ready to seize the moment.

Listen to the Full Breakdown on HTP Ep 26

This post was adapted from Harrison Talks Pod Episode 26, where I break down every first-round playoff matchup with bold predictions, hot stats, and juicy storylines.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Top 3 Rookie of the Year Candidates in the NBA: Who Will Take the Crown?

-
Image
The NBA season is in full swing, and the race for Rookie of the Year has been heating up! With some incredible talent emerging from this year’s rookie class, it's harder than ever to pick just one standout player. As we near the end of the season, three rookies have separated themselves from the pack. But who truly deserves to win the coveted title of Rookie of the Year? Let’s break down the top three contenders and what makes them shine—and why they might not finish the season with the award. This discussion comes from Episode 18 of my podcast, Harrison Talks Pod , where I dive deeper into these top rookie candidates. Make sure to check out the full episode for more in-depth analysis and insights on all things NBA! Listen to Episode 18 here 1. Stephon Castle: The Rising Star for the Spurs Recent Takeaways: Steph Castle has taken the NBA by storm, and as of this week, he’s leading the Rookie of the Year race. His scoring has increased dramatically in the last 10 games, up to 17.4 p...
Read more

Dark Money, Media, and Online Creators: Parsing the Chorus Controversy

-
Image
Recently, there’s been significant online discussion about the “Chorus Creator Program,” a mentorship initiative funded by the 1630 Fund, a nonprofit with progressive donors. Critics, including Taylor Lorenz in Wired , framed it as a secretive program paying creators to stay silent on Israel and enforcing a partisan line. After reviewing the reporting and responses from creators, this framing is misleading and reflects a broader problem in online media: weaponizing “dark money” to create controversy while omitting critical context. What Chorus Actually Is The Chorus Creator Program, founded by Brian Tyler Cohen and Stuart Perelmuter, was designed to support smaller creators by pairing them with more established ones. Public statements from participants make it clear that mentorship, not content production, was the program’s primary goal. There were no required deliverables, and creators were not censored. For example, David Pakman, a progressive YouTube creator with millions of monthly...
Read more

Damian Lillard’s Injury Could End the Bucks' Championship Window | What Comes Next for Milwaukee?

-
Image
Damian Lillard’s devastating Achilles injury changes everything for the Milwaukee Bucks. With playoff elimination looming, we break down how the Bucks' future looks, and why massive changes could be coming. Damian Lillard's Achilles Injury: A Franchise-Altering Moment for the Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks were already battling adversity in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, but Damian Lillard’s likely torn Achilles might be the final blow. After dealing with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his other leg earlier this season, Lillard’s playoff injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. Despite fighting through setbacks, his body gave out, and it’s heartbreaking for fans, teammates, and especially Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been publicly supportive of Lillard’s toughness all year. At the time of Lillard’s injury, the Bucks trailed the Indiana Pacers 3–1, and momentum had already swung hard against Milwaukee. Without their All-Star point guard, the Bucks' offense looked disorganized and ove...
Read more