The NBA will showcase this elite interconference matchup on Saturday night! It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Nuggets-Raptors prediction and pick.
The Denver Nuggets are coming off a close loss to the Boston Celtics last night. That game went down to the wire but the Celtics' strong defensive efforts helped them win at home. Denver is (30-25) on the season which is good for 6th in the Western Conference. The Toronto Raptors have won eight-straight games and are also 6th in the East. Toronto defeated the Houston Rockets last time out 139-120. This could be a high-scoring affair between two elite teams.
Here are the Nuggets-Raptors NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Nuggets-Raptors Odds
Denver Nuggets: +4 (-106)
Toronto Raptors: -4 (-114)
Over: 223.5 (-110)
Under: 223.5 (-110)
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Why The Nuggets Could Cover The Spread
The Nuggets almost got the job done against the Celtics last night but came up just short. If it wasn't for some late-game drama, the Nuggets might have won the game. Nikola Jokic notched a triple-double per usual with a 23/16/11 stat line. The defense will need to step up tonight as they will be going up against one of the hottest teams in the NBA. The Raptors are averaging 119 points per game over their last 10 games. Gary Trent Jr. started doing something different because he is one of the hottest scoring threats in the Association right now. Trent is coming off 42 points against the Rockets. It doesn't matter who it's against, if you reach 40 in the NBA you are a bucket. A small reason why he had to go off for that many points was because Fred VanVleet missed the game with a groin injury. If he misses the game against the Nuggets, that gives the nuggets a Better chance to cover.
Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
Toronto comes in favored at home which is the right call. Both teams are playing well overall but the Nuggets have lost three of their last five. The Raptors don't have anyone who can stop Jokic tonight so expect him to probably get back-to-back triple-doubles. Denver is 15-15 on the road and Toronto is 16-12 at home. Both teams allow 110 points per game but the Raptors have the edge in scoring recently. VanVleet is currently questionable so if he does end up playing the Raptors will have a much better chance to keep their streak alive. Denver is not good against the spread at all at 25-30 whereas the Raptors are 32-21-1 on the season.
Controlling Jokic will be practically impossible so if they can just keep up their offensive surge then Toronto will cover this spread. If Trent Jr and Siakam continue to play well then the Raptors will be a force to reckon with for a while. Despite not playing with any height, Toronto continues to find ways to win games and find an edge in rebounding as they are fifth in the NBA.
Final Nuggets-Raptors Prediction & Pick
I like the Raptors to cover this spread in this one. They are looking to make it nine straight and the Nuggets are on a back-to-back. I don't see much defense being played here so consider taking the over in this as well.
Final Nuggets-Raptors Prediction & Pick: Raptors -4 (-114)
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