The Denver Nuggets (34-15) battle the Philadelphia 76ers (31-16) Saturday. Tip from Wells Fargo Center is set for 3 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. 76ers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
This will be 1 of 2 matchups between these teams this season with the other battle coming in Denver March 27.
Denver lost to the Bucks 107-99 Wednesday, covering as a 12.5-point road underdog. The Nuggets are just 2-3 against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 games yet are 26-23 ATS this season. Denver ranks No. 2 in the NBA in field goal percentage (50.7%) and No. 8 in points per game (116.5).
The 76ers, on the other hand, beat the Nets 137-133 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 7-point home favorite. Philadelphia is 3-1 ATS over its last 4 yet 5-5 ATS over its last 10. It is 27-20 ATS on the season. The 76ers’ strength is offensive efficiency, sitting 8th in the league in field goal percentage (48.2%).
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Nuggets at 76ers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | 76ers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +3.5 (-108) | 76ers -3.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Nuggets at 76ers key injuries
Nuggets
- G Bruce Brown (knee) questionable
- C Nikola Jokic (hamstring) probable
- G Jamal Murray (hip) questionable
- F Michael Porter Jr. (personal) questionable
76ers
- C Joel Embiid (foot) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at 76ers picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 121, Nuggets 115
Moneyline
PASS.
The 76ers are 18-7 at home while the Nuggets are 12-11 on the road. The odds are justified, and they are just out of playable range. Look to the spread and total for value.
Against the spread
BET 76ERS -3.5 (-112).
Simply put, the 76ers have been better at home than the Nuggets have been on the road. Denver is just 10-13 ATS as the road team while Philadelphia is 15-9-1 ATS at home, tied for the 6th-best home covering rate.
The 76ers also have C Joel Embiid, who should be able to counter the dominance of C Nikola Jokic, who has triple-doubles in 4-straight games. On top of that, Philadelphia ranks 2nd in the league in opponents’ 3-point shooting (34.5%). The Nuggets rank No. 1 in 3-point field goal percentage (39.5%).
The strength-on-strength matchup there should bode well for Philadelphia to limit what Denver does best. That said, considering that and the locational aspect for both sides, back the 76ERS -3.5 (-112).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 231.5 (-108).
The 76ers play at a slow pace, which drives their total toward the lower end typically. However, they have gone Over in 8 of their last 10 and have scored 120 or more in 3 of their last 4. They are 28-19 O/U on the season.
Denver is 22-27 O/U and has one of the most efficient offenses in the league. They are 1-3 O/U in their last 4 games, but Jokic missed some time during the stretch. With Jokic back and the high-ceiling offensive firepower on the court, back the OVER 231.5 (-108).
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