Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers 12/23/22 NBA Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Denver Nuggets play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Ball Arena on Friday night.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been in decent shape as they’ve won six of their last 10 games, but they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after falling just short to the Thunder in a heartbreaking 101-98 road loss on Wednesday. Jerami Grant led the team in scoring with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, Damian Lillard added 16 points with eight assists while Josh Hart chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 49 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in control when they held a five-point lead late in the fourth quarter, only to see the game slip away as the Thunder closed the final 2:41 on a 8-0 run to snatch the game from them in the end.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in great form as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after routing the Grizzlies in a 105-91 home win on Tuesday. Aaron Gordon led the team with 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Bruce Brown added 16 points with four assists while Nikola Jokic tallied a triple-double of 13 points with 13 rebounds and 13 assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 44 percent from the field and 10 of 27 from the 3-point line as they took control of the contest right away with a 35-14 first quarter which allowed them to cruise in the second half without stress with the Grizzlies never getting closer than nine points.

Looking at the betting trends, the Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against a team with a winning record and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Nuggets are 10-21 ATS in their last 31 games following a win, 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a win of more than 10 points and 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall.

Head to head, the over is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Denver and the Trail Blazers are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Denver.

The Trail Blazers could be a little shorthanded as Justise Winslow is doubtful, while the Nuggets are keeping an eye on Jamal Murray who is questionable for this one. The Trail Blazers were on a nice run before they fell to the Thunder in a tough loss on Wednesday, while the Nuggets have been running through teams on a nightly basis. The potential absence of Murray is big in this matchup given how important his role is in guarding the Trail Blazers’ Lillard, but assuming he doesn’t suit up, I’m still going with the Nuggets who are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Denver.