The Denver Nuggets play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Monday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Pick.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers have been in great shape as they’ve won eight of their last 10 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after routing the Pelicans in a 118-106 win on Thursday. Jrue Holiday led the team with 27 points and nine assists, Deni Avdija added 26 points with eight rebounds and seven assists, and Tounami Camara chipped in with 23 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 45 percent from the field and nine of 23 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Pelicans early on and leaked 65 points in the first half to fall behind, but they made their adjustments and dominated the second half by 58-41 to run past the Pelicans with ease in the end.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been on fire as they’ve won 11 of their last 13 games overall and they will be gunning for a ninth straight victory after outlasting the Spurs in a thrilling 136-134 overtime win on Saturday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 40 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists; Christian Braun added 21 points with eight rebounds and four assists, while Cameron Johnson chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 49 percent from the field and 19 of 46 from the 3-point line as they weathered an early barrage from the Spurs and clawed their way back from a 13-point deficit to force the game into overtime, where they did just enough to escape with the statement win in front of their home fans.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 11 home games against the Trail Blazers.
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 10 night games at Ball Arena.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Trail Blazers and Nuggets.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last six games against Northwest Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Trail Blazers have won seven of their last eight night games.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in each of their last six Monday games.
Total Points: Facts
- Eight of the last nine games between the Trail Blazers and Nuggets have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Trail Blazers’ last eight games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.9) this season.
- Jamal Murray is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 30+ points and 10+ assists in consecutive games this season.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Donovan Clingan ranks 1st in the league for second-chance points (314) this season.
- Robert Williams III ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for blocks per 36 minutes (3.3) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (121.6).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.8).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.9).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for turnovers per game this season (17.4).
Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers have ruled out Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe and Vit Krejci, while the Nuggets are still missing Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, with Zeke Nnaji listed as questionable. These teams have already met three times this season, with the Nuggets winning the last two meetings to take a 2-1 series lead. The Trail Blazers enter this contest in great form following their solid win over the Pelicans, but the Nuggets are playing some of their best basketball of the season and they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their gritty win over the Spurs. The line is a bit hefty, but I think the Nuggets maintain their momentum with a strong win and cover at home in this one.