The Portland Trail Blazers (3-0) welcome the Denver Nuggets (2-1) to Moda Center Monday. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Trail Blazers enter Monday as just 1 of 4 undefeated teams in the NBA. They beat the Phoenix Suns 113-111 in overtime Friday in their lone home game.
Portland is led by G Damian Lillard who is averaging 34 points per game and shooting 47.1% from the field. G Anfernee Simons has taken on a larger role this season, averaging 16.7 points per game.
The Nuggets are led by 2-time MVP C Nikola Jokic. They are still working to incorporate G Jamal Murray back into the rotation. F Michael Porter Jr. is also a name to keep an eye on.
Denver went into Golden State and beat the Warriors 128-123 Friday as a 5.5-point underdog, then it welcomed the Oklahoma City Thunder to Pepsi Center and won 122-117 Saturday as a 9-point favorite.
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Nuggets at Trail Blazers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -4.5 (-112) | Trail Blazers +4.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nuggets at Trail Blazers key injuries
Nuggets
- None
Trail Blazers
- Not Yet Submitted
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Trail Blazers picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 114, Trail Blazers 112
Moneyline
PASS.
Despite the Blazers being undefeated, the Nuggets are the better team. I would pass here.
Against the spread
BET TRAIL BLAZERS +5.5 (-110).
The Blazers are undefeated, and it is their defense that is thriving this season. They have the 5th-best defensive rating in the NBA, and they sit 7th in defensive rebounding rate.
While Portland’s offensive efficiency is a concern, Lillard is among the best scorers in the NBA. While the Blazers don’t force many turnovers, the Nuggets have the highest turnover rate in the NBA.
C Jusuf Nurkic should be able to tame his former teammate Jokic as well. He has the size to do so, and with the offense running through Jokic, expect that to cause some struggles for the Denver offense.
Look for the home side to cover here.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 226.5 (-110).
The Blazers don’t like to run and are 18th in the NBA in pace.
The Nuggets rank 4th in pace, but they’ve played the Thunder, Warriors and Utah Jazz — all teams that prefer to run in transition, so the pace for Denver may be a tad inflated.
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