The Denver Nuggets pay a visit to the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night. Here’s a Raptors vs Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Raptors vs Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets have cooled off a bit lately as they’ve lost four of their past six games overall. They will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting scorched by the Heat in a 147-123 road defeat on Monday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 21 points and eight assists on nine of 14 shooting, Jamal Murray added 20 points with 11 assists while Spencer Jones and Tim Hardaway Jr each scored 16 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot a healthy 53 percent from the field and 11 of 31 from the 3-point line as they dominated the second quarter to overcome an early 15-point deficit. However, they lost all their momentum in the third quarter where they allowed 47 points to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors have been in decent form as they’ve won five of their last eight games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after outlasting the Magic in a 107-106 win on Monday. Jamal Shead led the team with 19 points and five assists off the bench, Brandon Ingram added 17 points with nine rebounds and four assists while Gradey Dick chipped in with 15 points off the bench. As a team, the Raptors shot just 39 percent from the field and eight of 34 from the 3-point line as they scored just 18 points in the first quarter to fall into an early 21-point deficit. However, they chipped away and made their move in the fourth quarter where they held the Magic to just 12 points to cap off the impressive comeback.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The home team has won seven of the Nuggets’ last eight games.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of the Nuggets’ last eight games.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Raptors have lost each of their last nine night games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The underdogs have won each of the Raptors’ last six games.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against the Raptors following a road loss.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as favorites.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Nuggets’ last nine road games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Raptors’ last nine night games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes is the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game this season.
- Immanuel Quickley has recorded 33 games with 3+ assists this season – most of any player in the league.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Tim Hardaway Jr. has recorded 19 games with 1+ assists and zero turnovers this season – most of any player in the league.
- The Nuggets are scoring 131.9 points per 48 minutes while Peyton Watson are on the floor this season – highest mark of any qualified player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Raptors rank 1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (67.6%).
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (654) this season.
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (125.7).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (51.3%).
Raptors vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets are still missing Christian Braun, Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson, while the Raptors have ruled out Jakob Poeltl once again. The Nuggets have gone cold lately and things are about to go from bad to worse now that Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee. This will have him sit out at least four weeks, so this opens the door for the improving Raptors to take advantage if they are good enough. The Raptors were able to overcome a 21-point deficit to beat the Magic in their last game and I think they can keep it going with a win against this depleted Nuggets squad at home.