Trail Blazers vs Nuggets Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions

In what is usually a competitive matchup between division rivals, we instead have a “squash match” as the Denver Nuggets welcome the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers are the team to be squashed and will be outmatched going by the NBA betting odds and latest news, stats, and injury reports. But can we trust Denver to cover this hefty spread?

Portland Trail Blazers (16-24) vs Denver Nuggets (20-19)

Denver Gets Tuneup

Denver would like to forget about its last game. The Nuggets just blew a 25-point lead against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets have been a Dr. Jekyll- and Mr. Hyde act all season with the only consistent beast in the franchise being Nikola Jokic.

Check Denver’s last eight games: The Nuggets have gone 5-3 and have failed to hit 100 points in half of these games while limiting Golden State to a then-season low of 86 points, only to allow Houston and Sacramento to score 111 each.

Whatever the case, so long as Jokic is in town, the Nuggets are not a bad bet online. Still, be wary as Denver is only 5-7 against the spread (ATS) as a home favorite. But against a hapless team like Portland, Denver won’t blow it. Right?

Dame Over in Portland

What time is it? It’s time to trade Dame time. Embattled point guard Damian Lillard stirred up plenty of trade rumors and sports betting odds with his sour comments about the franchise. So what did the franchise do? Rearrange the furniture and repaint the exterior. It’s still the same house.

The Blazers have won two straight with an upset over Brooklyn in their last one. But this team is still well out of the playoffs and both Lillard and CJ McCollum are injured. Big man Larry Nance Jr. is also out with knee issues.

At some point, Blazers management will need to decide in what direction it wants to go. Lillard will return and light the court on fire only for Portland to barely squeak into the playoffs for another early exit. Or Portland will be creating plenty of online content with a blockbuster deal.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Head to Head

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Game Information

Date: Thursday

Time: 10 p.m. ET

Location: Ball Arena

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Live Stream: NBA Game Pass

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Betting Lines

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction

The point spread points to Denver blowing out Portland. This should not be an issue as the Nuggets destroyed Portland by 29 points the last time they played host to the Blazers without their franchise center. Portland is also just 4-7 without Lillard.

Denver is also 3-1 on both the spread and moneyline in its last four home games against Portland. The Nuggets have scored at least 124 points in the last three and, even shorthanded, they will be the ones dictating this lopsided matchup.

Pick: Denver Nuggets -10

Denver’s renewed zeal on defense has led to many of its games, including eight of the last 10, going under the total. But eight of their last nine against Portland have seen so much explosive scoring that Michael Bay would like to produce the next game. Bet on the trend to continue.

Pick: Over 212½

Parlay: Nuggets -10 and Over 212½ (+264)