The Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers play in a Western Conference battle on Tuesday. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Nuggets-Blazers prediction and pick.
The Nuggets and Blazers will play on Tuesday. These teams met last season during the playoffs, so they are quite familiar with one another. The Nuggets are very banged up as a team at the moment, as they have lost four in a row while Nikola Jokic has been banged up. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. also remain out for Denver. However, Portland comes in completely healthy and riding a three-game win streak. Both the Blazers and the Nuggets are 9-8 so far this season, and whoever wins this game will have a chance to be the No. 5 seed in the West by the end of the night. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum will look to take advantage of a banged up Denver backcourt. The Blazers come in as strong favorites over the Nuggets for this one.
Here are the Nuggets-Blazers odds for this Tuesday NBA matchup, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Nuggets-Blazers Odds
Denver Nuggets +6.5 (-108)
Portland Trail Blazers -6.5 (-112)
Over 214 points (-110)
Under 214 points (-110)
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Why The Nuggets Can Cover The Spread
Nikola Jokic is questionable for the Nuggets, so obviously his final status will impact the line in this game one way or the other. If the Nuggets are without Jokic, it will be very difficult for them to get the win. Denver is scrappy, however, so if there is an inflated line in the event Jokic is ruled out, it could have some appeal. The Nuggets are just 2-5 on the road this season, but some of those losses have been close. Denver has been a good defensive team this season, and that could be enough to keep them in the game vs. Portland team that ranks just 25th in the NBA in defensive efficiency.
The Nuggets are 7-10 against the spread this season, and have lost three of their last four by double-digits.
Why The Blazers Can Cover The Spread
Portland comes into Tuesday's contest as winners of four of their last five games and 8-1 at home on the season. The Blazers have scored 114.2 points per 100 possessions over that span. It's no secret that the Blazers are an offensive team when things are rolling. Portland has began to find their stride but still has struggles on the defensive end. Despite having a 111.5 offensive rating in their last 10 games, the Blazers still have a negative net rating over that period. The Blazers will have a big edge in this matchup if Jokic is unable to go on Tuesday. Portland is in a good spot to pick up the win, but as said above, if the spread is inflated in the event Jokic is out, it may be better to hold off on betting them to cover.
The Blazers are 7-10 against the spread so far this season.
Final Nuggets-Blazers Prediction & Pick
At the current number, take the Blazers to cover with a win over the Nuggets on Tuesday. If the spread were to reach 9 or 10, however, there may be a bit of value with Denver. Jokic's final status is a huge variable in this spot, but regardless the Blazers are the hotter team of late.
FINAL NUGGETS-BLAZERS PREDICTION & PICK: Blazers -6.5 (-112)
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