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The Portland Trail Blazers will host the Denver Nuggets for the sixth game of this best-of-seven series. It’s time to continue our NBA Playoffs odds series and make a Nuggets-Blazers prediction and pick.
Portland enters Game 6 at home with their backs against the wall after losing a heartbreaker against the Nuggets in Game 5. Damian Lillard did all that he could and sent the game to double-overtime with a last second three. Denver prevailed and will now have a chance to close out the series with a win at the Moda Center in Portland.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Nuggets-Blazers odds.
NBA Odds: Nuggets-Blazers Odds
Denver Nuggets +5 (-113)
Portland Trail Blazers -5 (-107)
Over 227.5 Points (-115)
Under 227.5 Points (-105)
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Why The Nuggets Could Cover The Spread
The Denver Nuggets should feel lucky to be up 3-2 in this series after surviving the onslaught of three's from Damian Lillard in Game 5. Thankfully for the Nuggets, it was MVP favorite Nikola Jokic that outdid the Blazers superstar point guard in the double-overtime thriller. Jokic put together a monster double-double with 38 points and 11 rebounds in the game. He also added nine assists, a steal, and four blocks in an all-around dominant performance.
The point-center finally got some help from his right-hand man, Michael Porter Jr. as well. Porter Jr. collected a double-double of his own with 26 points and 12 boards. MPJ is the catalyst for this team because of his remarkable ability to hit the long ball, which spreads the floor for the skilled big man. Although Denver certainly can't depend on Monte Morris to drop 28 points every night, it seems to be a different role player that comes up big for this team on any given night. The depth advantage that this team possesses makes them the clear favorite in this series.
Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread
Although Denver stole the victory in Game 5, it was Damian Lillard that stole the night. Dame had one of the best performances in playoff history with 12 made three's on 17 attempts. Lillard put up 55 points on 17 of 24 shooting from the field in the heroic outing. The Blazers point guard dished out 10 assists and added six rebounds, a steal, and three blocks. There is absolutely no question that this club will live or die on the success of Damian Lillard.
Two other Blazers delivered double-double performances as well. Robert Covington and Jusuk Nurkic did all that they could to support Dame, but Portland's inefficiencies from the field really did them in when it was all said and done. CJ McCollum and Normal Powell had poor shooting nights as they combined to go 12 of 36 from the field and 2 of 11 from beyond the arc. McCollum and Powell will have to step up in a big way in Game 6 as Denver will almost certainly apply more pressure on Dame as soon as he crosses half court.
Final Nuggets-Blazers Prediction & Pick
We are almost guaranteed to witness brilliant performances from Nikola Jokic and Damian Lillard. The question marks that surround the two superstars make it difficult to pick a side in this matchup, though. Denver has seen streaky shooting from guys like Michael Porter Jr. and Portland has seen wild inefficiencies from the rest of their back court. Both clubs do have one thing in common. They are both capable of lighting up the scoreboard on a regular basis. In a game that could truly go either way, I'm siding with the over in a game that will feature a fast pace and a ton of outside shooting.
FINAL NUGGETS-BLAZERS PREDICTION AND PICK: Over 227.5 Points (-115)
