The NBA’s top scoring defense will be at home in Pepsi Center, when the Denver Nuggets (14-8) go head-to-head against the Portland Trail Blazers (10-15). Action gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 12, 2019.
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets Betting Odds
In the Trail Blazers’ last outing, they easily covered the 9-point spread against the New York Knicks, 115-87. The Nuggets, meanwhile, were beaten by the Philadelphia 76ers, 97-92, and failed to cover as 5-point underdogs. The Portland game finished 21.5 points under the projected point total of 223.5, while the Denver game went 19.5 points under the projected point total of 208.5.
Portland dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.528 (above their season average of 0.516) and a free throw rate of 0.222 (above their season average of 0.195). New York had marks of 0.390 and 0.176, respectively, for those same stats. Denver, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (12.6 vs. 13.5). Denver was lifted by Will Barton, who recorded 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Hassan Whiteside, meanwhile was a key piece for Portland with 17 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.
In their first matchup this year, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets to a 108-100 victory. He notched a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 208 points, which was under the projected point total of 217.5, and Denver covered as a 1.5-point favorite. Denver’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Portland. The Nuggets had a rate of 0.531 while the Trail Blazers posted a mark of 0.454.
Just over half of the Trail Blazers’ games have finished over the total. Portland holds records of 10-15 straight up (SU) and 11-13-1 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Nuggets have typically gone under the total (77.3 percent). Denver has a solid 14-8 SU record, but they have trouble covering the spread (8-11-3 ATS).
Denver should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Denver ranks fifth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent), while Portland forces the third-fewest turnovers (12.4 percent).
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Trail Blazers average 13.5 fast break points per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Nuggets rank 13th in fast break points allowed per game (13.2).
- Denver ranks third in second chance points allowed per game (11.3) while Portland ranks 28th (15.9).
- The Nuggets rank 14th in steals per game (7.9) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (6.0).
- Denver ranks 14th in points in the paint per game (47.1) while Portland ranks 28th (43.1).
- Denver ranks 20th in points off turnovers per game (16.7) while Portland ranks 29th (13.4).
- The Nuggets rank sixth in assists per game (26.2) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (20.1).
- The Trail Blazers rank fourth in blocks per game (6.2) while the Nuggets rank 13th (5.1).
- Denver ranks 11th in rebounds allowed per game (45.0) while Portland ranks 27th (48.4).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Denver is 9-1 and Portland is 3-0.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Trail Blazers are 10-12 and the Nuggets are 12-4.
- Denver is 4-6-1 ATS at home, while Portland is 7-6-1 ATS on the road.
- The Trail Blazers have 7 unders, 6 overs and 1 push in 14 road games.
- In 11 home games, the Nuggets have 9 unders and 2 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Nuggets are 1-3-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Trail Blazers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Denver has 4 unders and 1 over, while Portland has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Nuggets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 4.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 109.6 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.8 points per game (1.5 below their season average).
