Portland Trail Blazers (8-18) vs Denver Nuggets (14-10)
December 19, 2024 at 10:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Portland Trail Blazers +8.5 / Denver Nuggets -8.5 — Over/Under: 230.5
The Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers meet Thursday in NBA action at the Moda Center. Here’s a Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction. This article will include a Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets beat the Clippers and Kings, and they play the Pelicans, Suns, and Cavs next. The Denver Nuggets are averaging 117.9 points on 48.6 percent shooting and allowing 116.8 points on 47 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.9 points and 13.4 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 19 points and 7.2 rebounds. Jamal Murray is the third double-digit scorer and Christian Braun is grabbing 5.1 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.4 rebounds per game.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers lost to the Spurs and Suns, and they play the Spurs, Mavericks, and Jazz next. The Portland Trail Blazers are averaging 106.8 points on 43.8 percent shooting and allowing 116.1 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Anfernee Simons is averaging 17.1 points and 2.6 rebounds, while Shaedon Sharpe is averaging 17 points and 3.4 rebounds. Jerami Grant is the third double-digit scorer and Deandre Ayton is grabbing 10 rebounds. The Portland Trail Blazers are shooting 33.5 percent from beyond the arc and 77.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Portland Trail Blazers are allowing 37.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.7 rebounds per game.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight night games against Trail Blazers teams that held a losing record.
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 15 Thursday night games at Moda Center.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games at Moda Center when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in five of their last six games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Trail Blazers’ last 10 home games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Nuggets’ last five road games following a road win has gone OVER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Toumani Camara ranks 30th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.4) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Michael Porter Jr. ranks 15th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (51.2%) this season.
- Aaron Gordon ranks 22nd amongst qualified Forwards for FT% (81.1%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Portland Trail Blazers are the only team to lose a home game against the Pelicans this season.
- The Trail Blazers rank 29th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.5).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (30.4).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (19.2).
Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
Not excited to lay big numbers with the Denver Nuggets on the road, but we don’t have much of a choice. The Portland Trail Blazers are awful on both sides of the ball, and they’ve lost 7 straight games against the Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets have won and covered each of their last three games, and their recent game against the Kings was a confidence booster. A comeback that included clutch shot after clutch shot. The sort of performance that could be a turning point in the season. It’s Nuggets or pass for me.