West-Leading Nuggets Have Gone Off-Course
The Denver Nuggets are still the top team in the West but they’ve been stumbling of late. While they’re still holding a comfortable lead at the top of the conference, they have lost four of five.
Meanwhile, you might have seen the NBA news that the New York Knicks could be without star guard Jalen Brunson on Saturday.
New York has won two straight games and is back on track following a three-game losing streak. Can the Knicks keep it going against the Nuggets?
Denver Knows It Has Problem Defensively
Denver is the top team in the Western Conference but those who bet online have some concerns with this squad. There seems to be issues in the locker room but hopefully for them, it’s just temporary.
Michael Porter Jr. was openly upset about not being able to find a rhythm after he was benched for the entire fourth quarter of one of the Nuggets’ recent losses.
Couple that with head coach Michael Malone openly saying that they are playing on cruise control and that they’ve gotten soft defensively, it’s just not been a great look in Denver right now.
The biggest example of this defensive problem came in one of those recent losses when they allowed 49 points in the first quarter alone against the Toronto Raptors.
They’ve also allowed their opponents to go over the 100-point mark in five straight games and the 120 point mark in three straight. Overs have been a good option on the NBA betting odds with them.
This team is not playing up to their potential right now, so keep that in mind when making your sports bets.
Knicks Could Be Missing Star
There’s no question that the Knicks are looking forward to playing host to the top team in the West – especially when they’re down right now.
New York is a team that’s been flying high in the second half of the season. They have two stars on the roster, Julius Randle and Brunson, but one might be out.
Both of them average over 23 points per game this season with Randle putting up 10.3 rebounds a night and Brunson putting up 6.1 assists a night.
Unfortunately, Brunson isn’t a guarantee to suit up. He was held out of their Tuesday game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a foot injury and is questionable to hit the floor here.
If he’s out, downgrade the Knicks in the sportsbook.
Nuggets vs Knicks Game Injuries
Nuggets vs Knicks Head-to-Head
These teams have met up once this season a few months ago, with the Knicks winning that matchup by three points.
Nuggets vs Knicks Information
- Game: Nuggets (46-23) Knicks (41-30)
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Day/Time: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
- Live stream: NBA Game Pass
Nuggets vs Knicks Betting Lines
Nuggets vs Knicks Prediction
Denver has been atop the Western Conference since mid-December but they’re not playing great right now. They are just 14-10 in their last 24 games after starting the year 33-13.
If Brunson is good to go, the Knicks are the better option for your NBA picks. If not, go with the over as the Nuggets shaky defense has been leading to a lot of high-scoring affairs.
Denver is listed at -130 in our Vegas lines. So, if you wager $100 on the Nuggets, there’s a chance to win $77. New York is +110 with a chance to win $110 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Nuggets a 56.52% chance to win, with the Knicks at 47.62%.
Nuggets vs Knicks Trends
Nuggets vs Knicks Edge
Nuggets vs Knicks Results
Nuggets vs Knicks Game Summary
Knicks vs Nuggets Previous Game (Nov 16, 2022)
The Denver Nuggets face the New York Knicks on Wednesday without their best player, which has caused a change in betting markets.
NBA odds opened the Nuggets at -9½, but with Nikola Jokic out with protocols, it has been trimmed to -3½.
It’s a solid move and it could be enough for the Knicks to take advantage and nab a road win.
We would have loved to have locked in the biggest line, but we’re taking the Knicks +3½.
We liked what we saw against the Jazz, and the Nuggets could lose some games without Jokic on the floor.
We expect it to be a low-scoring affair. The initial under 233 piqued our interest but it has since moved to 226½.
