The surprisingly solid Utah Jazz (4-1) visit the surprisingly mediocre Denver Nuggets (3-2) Friday in a Western Conference battle. Tipoff from Ball Arena is set for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Jazz vs. Nuggets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Jazz look solid all around. Newly acquired pieces F Lauri Markkanen, G Collin Sexton and F Jarred Vanderbilt have looked great for this team alongside G Jordan Clarkson and seasoned veteran G Mike Conley. Markkanen leads the Jazz in scoring (22.0 PPG) on 48.8% shooting from the field. Vanderbilt is Utah’s top rebounder (9.8 RPG), while also being their best defender. Conley leads the Jazz in assists (7.8 APG), while also being the veteran leader on this team.
The Nuggets is led by reigning back-to-back MVP C Nikola Jokic. He leads the team in points (22.4 PPG), rebounds (10.8 RPG) and assists (9.4 APG). Stars G Jamal Murray and F Michael Porter Jr. are being re-integrated into this team after suffering what could have been career-ending injuries. Murray has not looked like himself yet due to that injury, but that will likely change as the season progresses. G Bruce Brown has looked like an amazing off-season pickup – he drilled a team-high 4 3-pointers in a 110-99 home win vs. the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday.
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Jazz at Nuggets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:15 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jazz +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Nuggets -370 (bet $370 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Jazz +8.5 (-112) | Nuggets -8.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Jazz at Nuggets key injuries
Jazz
- G Collin Sexton (oblique) questionable
Nuggets
- G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) questionable
- F Michael Porter Jr. (back) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Jazz at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 120, Jazz 115
Moneyline
AVOID
Denver (-370) is too expensive and far too risky to bet. The Nuggets shouldn’t be this heavily favored, especially after losing to the Jazz just a few games ago, 123-102 Oct. 19. While I believe Utah loses this game, I wouldn’t bet on Denver at this price.
Against the spread
LEAN JAZZ +8.5 (-112).
This bet hinges on the health of Sexton. When the Jazz beat the Nuggets on opening night in that Oct. 19 game, Sexton scored a team-high 20 points off the bench. Sexton is a pivotal piece for the Jazz, who have surprised some with their 4-1 start.
The Jazz are a talented and scrappy team that will pose a challenge for the Nuggets, who have looked solid, but not amazing. Expect the Jazz to put up a fight in this game, especially if Sexton plays.
Over/Under
BET OVER 231.5 (-105).
Both of these teams have solid offenses and mediocre defenses. Assuming the Nuggets can shoot better than they shot against the Lakers Wednesday (45.7%), which I believe they will, the OVER 231.5 should hit.
Jokic is playing solidly so far and if the pieces around him can play the way they were expected to play, then they will be a deadly offense. The Jazz possess scoring all over their roster and with the Nuggets’ lack of defense throughout the roster, OVER 231.5 (-105) should be a SAFE BET.
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