The Denver Nuggets (40-28) travel to the City of Brotherly Love for a 7:30 p.m. ET game with the Philadelphia 76ers (41-25) at the Wells Fargo Center (ESPN). Below, we look at the Nuggets vs. 76ers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Denver has lost its past two games, both at home, to the Toronto Raptors Saturday (127-115) and the Golden State Warriors Friday (113-102). Over the last two weeks, the Nuggets are 4-3 straight up (SU) and 2-5 against the spread (ATS).
Philly has alternated between winning and losing over the past five games (3-2 SU and 1-4 ATS) with the latest being a 116-114 overtime victory against the Magic Sunday in Orlando, failing to cover as 11-point road favorites.
A Joel Embiid-less Sixers squad upset the Nuggets 103-89 in Denver Nov. 18 as 7.5-point road underdogs. The last time Embiid and Nuggets reigning MVP Nikola Jokic met was in December 2019. Embiid’s Sixers are 4-1 SU all-time versus Jokic and the Nuggets.
Nuggets at 76ers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:21 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Nuggets +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | 76ers -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Nuggets +1.5 (-110) | 76ers -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Nuggets at 76ers key injuries
Nuggets
- SF Aaron Gordon (foot) questionable
- PG Jamal Murray (knee) out
- PF Michael Porter Jr. (back) out
76ers
- None
[tipico]
Nuggets at 76ers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 116, 76ers 111
Money line
LEAN to the NUGGETS (+102) only because their spread is a much sharper player and Denver was +125 on the look-ahead so we’d be getting the worst of the number.
However, the Nuggets have a better winning percentage (18-13 SU) and net rating (plus-7.7) in “clutch” scenarios than the Sixers (20-15 SU with a plus-3.0 net rating). “Clutch” is defined by games within a 5-point margin inside of five minutes to play.
Also, Philly is still crafting its identity after acquiring James Harden a few weeks ago. On the other hand, there’s no question who’s the captain of Denver’s ship and I think the reigning MVP (Jokic) takes this season’s MVP favorite (Embiid) to school.
But since I prefer Denver’s spread, I only LEAN NUGGETS (+102).
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Against the spread
Definitely BET the NUGGETS +1.5 (-110) instead of or heavier than their ML because this is a more profitable spot for Denver.
For instance, the Nuggets are 10-7-1 ATS on the road versus teams with a winning record and 11-9 ATS as road underdogs with a plus-2.6 ATS margin. The Sixers are 6-11 ATS at home versus winning teams and 10-15 ATS as home favorites with a minus-2.3 ATS margin.
Furthermore, Philly is playing the second of a back-to-back so there’s an outside chance either Embiid or Harden sits.
Finally, this is a Pros vs. Joe’s game in the betting market with a vast majority of the cash on Denver but more bets are placed on Philly, per VegasInsider.com. Typically, in sports betting, it’s profitable to follow the money especially when it’s counter to the public.
The NUGGETS PLUS THE POINTS is my favorite wager in this game.
Over/Under
PASS since I only lean toward the Over 221.5 (-115). A majority of the action is on the Over (per Pregame.com), but the total seems to be lowering from the opening number. This would indicate “Over 221.5 (-115)” could be a square bet.
For what it’s worth, Denver is 36-31-1 O/U (17-18 O/U on the road) and Philly is 29-36-1 O/U (13-20 O/U at home).
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]