The Portland Trail Blazers play the second game of a back-to-back set on Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Nuggets-Blazers prediction and pick.
The Nuggets hold a record of 37-20 overall and 28-29 against the spread. Denver is coming off a double-overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Blazers stand at 32-25 overall and 28-29 against the spread. Portland played the Clippers to the last possession of the game on Tuesday night but ultimately lost as Paul George hit the game-winning free throws.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Nuggets-Blazers odds.
NBA Odds: Nuggets-Blazers Odds
Denver Nuggets -2 (-114)
Portland Trail Blazers +2 (-106)
Over 229.5 Points (-110)
Under 229.5 Points (-110)
Why The Nuggets Could Cover The Spread
Denver is currently on a three-game win streak after stealing a win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their last matchup. After failing to cover in three straight games, the Nuggets have rebounded nicely and now have covered in two of their last three.
Conversely, the Blazers have struggled against the spread of late. They have failed to cover in four of their last five, and dropped two of three games with Damian Lillard out.
The Nuggets will be without the services of Jamal Murray for the rest of the year, but their offense continues to produce.
Denver has scored 123, 128, and 116 points (prior to overtime) in their last three matchups, showing they are still more than capable of shooting teams off the floor.
This is a particularly juicy matchup for the Denver offense, as the Blazers defense ranks towards the bottom of the league in almost every defensive stat.
The Blazers allow the 6th most points in the league, the fourth-highest field goal percentage, and the eight most free throws as a group.
Assuming the points flow freely, the Nuggets should hold the upper hand against a Blazers defense that has failed to slow down their opponent.
Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread
Even without Damian Lillard, the Blazers have been a fiesty opponent.
Down by as much as 16 on the road to the Spurs, Portland managed a massive comeback to get the win. They mounted a similar comeback against the Hornets after falling behind by 29 points but fell short.
Last night against the Clippers, the outgunned Blazers team managed to come one McCollum jumper away from getting a victory against one of the best teams in the West.
With Lillard back in the lineup tonight, Portland should get a huge emotional and on-court boost. Dame is the heart and soul of this Blazers team, and they badly need a bounce-back win in this spot in the closing run towards postseason seeding.
C.J. McCollum has taken on the scoring load in Lillard's absence, averaging 26.3 points with his backcourt mate injured. But the Blazers are far from a one man show.
Portland has six players averaging double-digit scoring, and five guys that shoot 38% or better from three on four or more attempts per game.
In a game likely to be a shoot-out, Portland has shown they can hang with high-scoring opponents when fully healthy.
On the defensive end, the Blazers get Jusuf Nurkic back, a big body that will be key in attempting to slow Jokic. While the leading MVP candidate has been toasting anyone that matches up with him, he historically has a tougher time against burly opponents. Nurkic has his work cut out for him tonight.
Final Nuggets-Blazers Prediction & Pick
Both these teams are fighting tooth and nail for seeding at the moment, and we just have to look at their previous games to see the passion both squads are playing with. Most bettors are on the Nuggets in this spot, but I think this game comes down to the closing moments and the boost that Lillard's return gives the Blazers has me inclined to roll with Portland. I loved the fight that i saw out of Portland's bench last night, specifically Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and I think the Blazers surprise the Nuggets here and play hard from start to finish. Blazers in a tight one.
FINAL PICK: POR 117, DEN 115 (TRAIL BLAZERS +2)
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