Portland Trail Blazers (31-39) vs Denver Nuggets (44-26)
Game Info: Friday, March 21, 2025 at 10:00 pm (Moda Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Portland Trail Blazers -1 — Over/Under: 225.5
The Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers meet Friday 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 Warriors, lost to the Lakers, and they play the Rockets, Bulls, and Bucks next. The Nuggets have been a .500 team over their last 14 games. The Nuggets have dropped to the third seed in the West.
The Denver Nuggets are averaging 121.1 points on 50.6 percent shooting and allowing 116.7 points on 46.5 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.1 points and 12.8 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 21.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Christian Braun is grabbing 5 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 36.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.8 rebounds per game.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Grizzlies and Wizards, and they play the Celtics, Cavs, and Kings next. The Trail Blazers keep playing spoiler, which includes three straight home wins.
The Portland Trail Blazers are averaging 110.6 points on 45.1 percent shooting and allowing 114.2 points on 46.9 percent shooting. Anfernee Simons is averaging 19.5 points and 2.7 rebounds, while Shaedon Sharpe is averaging 17.5 points and 4.1 rebounds. Deni Avdija is the third double-digit scorer and Deandre Ayton is grabbing 10.2 rebounds. The Portland Trail Blazers are shooting 34.6 percent from beyond the arc and 76.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Portland Trail Blazers are allowing 36.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Trail Blazers have won each of their last seven games at Moda Center following a win.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in each of their last eight games at Moda Center following a win.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 games.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 13 Friday night games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have won each of their last five games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last four road games following a loss.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 29th in the league for Q1 points per game this season (26.2).
- The Trail Blazers rank 29th in the league for turnover percentage this season (14.0%).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.6%).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (32.0).
Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Injury Report
The Trail Blazers won’t have Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, Jerami Grant, and Jabari Walker.
The Nuggets will be without DaRon Holmes II, Nikola Jokic, and Julian Strawther. Jamal Murray is questionable with an ankle injury.
Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
I don’t love the Trail Blazers in the favorite role and it’s a spot we don’t see often. This will be just the 11th time since Christmas when the Trail Blazers are favored. The Trail Blazers have won eight straight games as a favorite and are 6-2 ATS in those wins. This has more to do with the Nuggets’ injuries, as they’re still down Jokic and could be without Murray. The Trail Blazers continue to play inspired ball and they’re at their best at home where 19 of their 31 wins have come. Given the injury report and the Trail Blazers winning when they’re expected to, I’ll lay the bucket with Portland at home.