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The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers round off their season series at Crypto.com Arena. The Nuggets lead the series 2-1, but the Clippers won the previous matchup 111-102 on Dec. 6, 2023. However, LA was in its best stretch back then and is struggling now. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are as consistent as ever.
The Clippers enter Thursday's contest with a 10-8 record since March. They haven't been able to put a decent stretch together. The Clippers are coming off a 109-95 loss in Kawhi Leonard's absence. He's going to miss Thursday's contest, too.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets have gone 12-4 since March and are coming off back-to-back wins. They enter the matchup against the Clippers as the favorites.
Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers Injury Reports for Apr. 4
Denver Nuggets injury report
The Nuggets will remain without Vlatko Cancar (knee), while Zeke Nnaji (adductor) is expected to be out despite a doubtful status. Aaron Gordon (foot) and Nikola Jokic (hip/wrist) are probable and likely to play. Jamal Murray (ankle) is questionable. He will be a game-time decision.
Update: Murray is ruled out.
LA Clippers injury report
The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Joshua Prime (ankle).
Denver Nuggets vs LA Clippers Starting Lineups and Depth Charts for Apr. 4
Denver Nuggets starting lineup
The Nuggets will start Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, while Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic will complete the frontline.
LA Clippers starting lineup
The Clippers will start James Harden at point guard, Terance Mann was at the two, while PJ Tucker, Paul George and Ivica Zubac completed the frontline.
Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers key matchups
Clippers coach Ty Lue is known for creating matchup advantages against the opposing teams. With Kawhi Leonard out, he will lean on that on both ends. One of the key matchups would be Ivica Zubac on Nikola Jokic defensively.
The Clippers could let Zubac battle Jokic down low one-on-one, as he did a decent job on the two-time MVP in the previous matchup. That allowed the Clippers to guard the other four players better.
Another matchup the Clippers could take advantage of is Paul George vs. Jamal Murray or Reggie Jackson. Murray and Jackson would be among the weaker defenders on the Nuggets on the perimeter. With his size advantage, George could make them his primary targets and get going in Leonard's absence.
