The Washington Wizards will play the Denver Nuggets on Monday in an inter-conference matchup. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Wizards-Nuggets prediction and pick.
The Wizards and Nuggets play on Monday as each team is looking to right the ship after a tough stretch in recent weeks. Washington has lost four of their last five games, while the Nuggets are just 13-13 on the season. The Wizards have fallen to the No. 7 seed in the East after being near the top of the conference in November. Denver continues to play shorthanded as Nikola Jokic attempts to carry the team during the extended absences of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets come into this one as home favorites over the Wizards on Monday night.
Here is how FanDuel set the Wizards-Nuggets odds for this Monday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Wizards-Nuggets Odds
Washington Wizards +4 (-110)
Denver Nuggets -4 (-110)
Over 216 (-108)
Under 216 (-112)
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Why The Wizards Could Cover The Spread
Washington needs a win here as they have been struggling of late. They will have to play this one without forward Kyle Kuzma, who is in health and safety protocols. The Wizards have struggled defensively of late, allowing 116 points or more in four of their last five games. Bradley Beal is having a bit of a down season compared to last year as he is scoring just 22 points per game. Washington had been an improved defensive team early in this season but the data may be trending towards that being potentially more of a fluke than the reality.
The Wizards will be tested to cover and win in Denver on Monday night, as they like most teams have little to offer in regards to the Nikola Jokic matchup. The Wizards will need a big game from Beal if they want to pull out a tough win on the road in this one. Washington is a respectable 7-8 so far on the road this season and 12-14-1 vs. the spread.
Why The Nuggets Could Cover The Spread
Jokic is still playing at or near an MVP level, so Denver almost always has a chance, especially at home. He should be able to get the Nuggets into their offense and get good looks for himself and others as he usually does. Denver has athletes on the wing who can at least battle with Spencer Dinwiddie and Bradley Beal, so their edge inside could be the true key to this game. Denver will be looking for a win to move above .500 after and up-and-down start to the season. Injuries have derailed the Nuggets so far but there is still plenty of time for them to roll off some wins and get back into the upper echelon of the Western Conference.
The Nuggets should be a good candidate for a cover and a win on Monday as they are 7-2 at home this season when Jokic plays. Denver is 11-15 vs. the spread this season.
Final Wizards-Nuggets Prediction & Pick
This might be a close one, but the Nuggets are at home and have the best player of the floor. Given the Wizards struggles of late, Denver feels like the safer play in this spot. Take the Nuggets to win and cover on Monday behind a big game from Jokic.
Final Wizards-Nuggets prediction & pick: Nuggets -4 (-110)
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