Denver Nuggets odds line spread pick predictions best bets

Brooklyn Nets at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Brooklyn Nets at Denver Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Denver Nuggets (28-24) host the slumping Brooklyn Nets (29-23) Sunday at Ball Arena for a 3:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Nets vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Brooklyn has lost seven consecutive games with the most recent being a 125-102 whooping at the hands of the Utah Jazz Saturday.

The Nets have been awful since F Kevin Durant was sidelined with an injury Jan. 17. Brooklyn is 2-8 straight up (SU) and 3-6-1 against the spread (ATS) with the 25th-ranked net rating (minus-6.0) since losing their star forward.

Denver has lost three straight games at the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday, at the Jazz Wednesday and at home versus the New Orleans Pelicans Friday. The Nuggets are 6-4 SU but just 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 games.

The Nuggets beat the Nets 124-118 in Brooklyn in their first meeting this season, Jan. 26, pushing as 6-point road favorites. However, the Nets were missing KD, G Kyrie Irving and G James Harden.

Nets at Nuggets 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 9:11 a.m. ET.

Money line: Nets +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Nuggets -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
Against the spread: Nets +5.5 (-105) | Nuggets -5.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Nets at Nuggets key injuries

Nets

C LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle) out
C Nic Claxton (hamstring) questionable
SF Kevin Durant (knee) out
SG James Harden (hand) questionable

Nuggets

SF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) probable
SG Austin Rivers (hip) probable

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Nets at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 119, Nets 108

Money line

PASS.

The Nets (+200) could still have two All-NBA-caliber dudes on the floor and the Nuggets (-250) just lost to a New Orleans team that’s 12 games below .500. Plus I wouldn’t bet an NBA regular-season favorite at greater than -170.

Against the spread

BET the NUGGETS -5.5 (-110) for 1 unit.

This is more a fade of a sputtering Nets squad rather than a bet on the Nuggets. The Nets have the worst defensive rating in the NBA and the fifth-worst defensive effective field goal shooting (eFG%) during their seven-game losing skid.

It’s all bad in Brooklyn; there are rumors circulating that the Nets could be moving Harden at the trade deadline, KD is battling another injury and Kyrie’s vaccination status is still hanging over the team. It’s also unclear if Harden will even suit up Sunday.

More importantly, Denver big Nikola Jokic is by far the best player on the floor and Brooklyn doesn’t have anyone that can check him. Jokic is leading the NBA in PER, Win Shares per 48 and box plus/minus.

Over/Under

PASS.

My hunch is that this total is too high but if Harden is active then it’s tough betting this Under.

The Under has cashed in three of Denver’s last five games and three of Brooklyn’s last four.

However, the Nets have the worst defensive rating over the past two weeks and the Nuggets are fifth in offensive rating over that span.

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New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The New Orleans Pelicans (19-32) visit the Mile High City Friday to play the Denver Nuggets (28-23). Tip-off at the Ball Arena is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Pelicans vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

NOLA snapped a 4-game losing skid Tuesday by defeating the Pistons in Detroit 111-101 as 2.5-point favorites. The Pelicans are 2-4 straight up (SU) but 3-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last six games.

Denver lost the final two games of a 6-game road trip, falling at the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-115 Tuesday and at the Utah Jazz without leading scorer in C Nikola Jokic 108-104 Wednesday. The Nuggets are 5-3 SU and 3-4-1 ATS in their last eight games.

Denver is 2-0 SU and ATS versus New Orleans this season with the O/U going 1-1.

Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA February 4 breakdown

Pelicans at Nuggets 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 3:59 p.m. ET.

Money line: Pelicans +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Nuggets -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
Against the spread: Pelicans +5.5 (-105) | Nuggets -5.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Pelicans at Nuggets key injuries

Pelicans

SG Josh Hart (knee) questionable
C Willy Hernangomez (health and safety protocols) out
SG Garrett Temple (health and safety protocols) out

Nuggets

C Demarcus Cousins (foot) questionable

Pelicans at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 115, Pelicans 103

Money line

PASS.

I only “lean” to Denver laying the points, and there’s no way I’d bet on the Nuggets’ -250 price.

Against the spread

LEAN to the NUGGETS -5.5 (-120).

Denver is 7-6 (ATS) at home versus teams with a losing record. New Orleans is 8-10 ATS on the road versus teams with a winning record.

More importantly, the Nuggets have a massive edge in the shooting department. They are third in effective field-goal percentage (eFG%). New Orleans is 27th in defensive eFG%.

It’s only a “lean” to the NUGGETS -5.5 (-120) because I have a stronger grasp of the total (see below).

Over/Under

There are a bunch of reasons to like UNDER 224.5 (-112).

NOLA is 22nd in pace and Denver is 23rd and both are top 10 in rebounding rate. So, I’m expecting a slow tempo and several “one-and-done” possessions.

Two of the three referees assigned to this matchup officiate far more Unders. This officiating crew has a combined 43-58 O/U record.

Denver has the third-worst free-throw attempt rate (FTr) and, while NOLA is fifth in FTr, the Nuggets are 10th in defensive FT/FGA rate. Typically, Under-friendly officials call fewer fouls, which keeps the clock running and obviously limits free-throw attempts.

I’m fading the heavy line movement and all the pro-Over money in the betting market. This opened with a 220-point total before being steamed all the way up to the current price.

NOLA is 0-6 O/U versus teams with a winning record, and the Under has cashed in six of the past seven Pelicans-Nuggets meetings.

The only reason the Dec. 8 Pelicans-Nuggets game went Over is that there were 24 points scored in overtime.

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.

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Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Denver Nuggets (28-21) stop by Target Center Tuesday to play the Minnesota Timberwolves (25-25) at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Denver is on a five-game win streak with the latest being a 136-100 beatdown of the Bucks in Milwaukee Sunday. The Nuggets are 8-2 straight-up (SU) but just 4-5-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last 10 games.

Minnesota stopped its two-game losing skid by crushing the Utah Jazz 126-106 Sunday. The T-Wolves are 5-5 SU and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.

These teams are both 1-1 SU and ATS in their first two meetings this season with the road team winning and covering each contest.

Nuggets at Timberwolves 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 12:26 p.m. ET.

Money line: Nuggets +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Timberwolves -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
Against the spread: Nuggets +4.5 (-115) | Timberwolves -4.5 (-107)
Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Nuggets at Timberwolves key injuries

Nuggets

C Nikola Jokic (toe) questionable
PG Jamal Murray (knee) out

Timberwolves

SG D’Angelo Russell (shin) questionable
PG Patrick Beverley (ankle) questionable

Nuggets at Timberwolves odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Timberwolves 122, Nuggets 110

Money line

PASS.

I’m on Minnesota to win outright but the Timberwolves (-180) is too rich for my blood considering we don’t know the official starting lineups yet. For what it’s worth, Denver is 7-8 SU as a road underdog and Minnesota is 11-4 SU as a home favorite.

Against the spread

BET the TIMBERWOLVES -4.5 (-107) because based on the line movement and some simple logic, I’m anticipating the Nuggets will be without the reigning MVP Jokic.

Denver opened up as a 3-point underdog but that number has increased up to the current price after Jokic randomly landed on the injury report.

The Nuggets are in the front end of back-to-back games and play the Utah Jazz Wednesday in a primetime game so I’m gambling that they’ll rest Jokic tonight and have him suit up against Utah.

The absence of Jokic in this game would be massive. Jokic is arguably playing better this season compared to his MVP turn last season and has the best on/off net rating in the NBA.

T-Wolves C Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best bigs in the league and Minnesota is third in offensive rebounding rate. Not having Jokic available means KAT should feast on Denver’s interior and the Nuggets’ rebounding rates plummet when Jokic is off the floor.

There’s also a chance Minnesota gets good injury luck if Russell returns to action. The T-Wolves score 12.6 more points per 100 possessions when Russell is on the floor, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG) and he grades in the 94th percentile of point guards in adjusted on/off net rating (per CTG).

BET the TIMBERWOLVES -4.5 (-120) for 1 unit.

Over/Under

“LEAN” to the OVER 229.5 (-115) for a one-third unit because my favorite play is Minnesota laying the points.

However, Denver is 8-2 O/U in the last 10 games, Minnesota is 7-1 O/U in its last eight as a favorite and the Nuggets are fourth in 3-point shooting in January while the T-Wolves are 28th in defensive 3-point percentage.

The T-Wolves should be able to score a bunch of easy points off of turnovers Denver is 21st in offensive turnover rate (TOV%) whereas Minnesota is second in defensive TOV% and first in points off of turnovers per game.

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.

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Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Denver Nuggets (27-21) visit the Milwaukee Bucks (31-20) Sunday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off at Fiserv Forum. Below, we look at the Nuggets vs. Bucks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Denver handled business at New Orleans 116-105 Friday as a 4-point road favorite. Since Jan. 16, the Nuggets are 5-2 straight up (SU) but just 1-5-1 against the spread (ATS).

Milwaukee has won four of its past five games with its most recent being a 123-108 victory over the New York Knicks as a 9-point home favorite Friday.

The Bucks are 4-2 SU and 2-4 ATS with the second-worst ATS margin (minus-5.2), according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG), since Jan. 17.

The Bucks (-6.5) trampled the Nuggets 120-109 in their first meeting this season in Denver Nov. 26.

Nuggets at Bucks 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 1:35 p.m. ET.

Money line: Nuggets +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Bucks -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
Against the spread: Nuggets +6.5 (-112) | Bucks -6.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

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Nuggets at Bucks key injuries

Nuggets

SF Will Barton (illness) probable
C DeMarcus Cousins (foot) questionable
PF Aaron Gordon (illness) questionable
PG Jamal Murray (knee) out

Bucks

PG George Hill (neck) doubtful

Nuggets at Bucks odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Bucks 114, Nuggets 110

Money line

PASS.

I don’t like Nuggets (+210) enough to sprinkle anything on their money line even though it’s a fairly juicy payout. The Nuggets are just 6-8 SU as road underdogs and the Bucks are 16-6 SU as home favorites.

Against the spread

BET NUGGETS +6.5 (-112) for 1 unit.

This isn’t a good spot for either team, but Denver has been much better and more consistent this month. The Nuggets are 10-5 SU in January with the best effective field-goal shooting, best rebounding rate and fifth-best assist-to-turnover ratio.

The Bucks are 7-7 SU this month with the 13th-best net rating and the 25th-ranked ATS margin (minus-3.4).

Denver is 5-1 ATS in its last six visits to Milwaukee, while the Bucks are just 5-9 ATS at home versus teams with a winning record.

BET NUGGETS +6.5 (-112).

Over/Under

BET UNDER 232.5 (-108) for a half-unit, mostly as a fade against a market that has bet the Over so heavily the total has increased from the 227.5-point opener (according to Pregame.com).

Two of the three referees assigned to this game have officiated more Overs than Unders, and the officiating crew is a combined 42-53 O/U. This plus both teams having a top-10 defensive FT/FGA rate should equal fewer trips to the foul line.

I see Denver slowing the pace down behind its elite defensive rebounding. Plus, Milwaukee doesn’t force a lot of turnovers – the Bucks rank 20th in defensive turnover rate.

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.

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Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Detroit Pistons (11-34) play the final game of their four-game road trip Sunday against the Denver Nuggets (23-21), who is wrapping up a six-game homestand. Tip-off is 8 p.m. ET at Ball Arena. Below, we look at the Pistons vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Six of the Pistons’ 11 wins this season have come in the last 12 games, so they are playing their best basketball of the season recently. They are 1-2 on this road trip. They are coming off a 111-101 loss Friday night to the Utah Jazz.

The Nuggets are 3-2 on their homestand, coming off a 122-118 Friday night loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. C Nikola Jokic is averaging 33.3 points and has a running four-game streak of triple-doubles. They will face Detroit in consecutive games to wrap up the season series.

Pistons at Nuggets 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 Sunday at 2:01 p.m. ET.

Money line: Pistons +500 (bet $100 to win $500) | Nuggets -750 (bet $750 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Pistons +10.5 (-102) | Nuggets -10.5 (-122)
Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Pistons at Nuggets key injuries

Pistons

F Jerami Grant (health and safety protocols) out
G Killian Hayes (hip) questionable
G Frank Jackson (return to competition reconditioning) out
C Kelly Olynyk (health and safety protocols) out

Nuggets

F JaMychal Green (health and safety protocols) questionable
C Jeff Green (quadriceps) questionable
G Jamal Murray (knee) out

Pistons at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 120, Pistons 105

Money line

The Pistons are an atrocious 4-20 on the road this season. The Nuggets are not great at home at 12-9, but they don’t make a good bet because of the line. It isn’t worth having to wager more than seven times what you can win.

PASS on the money line.

Against the spread

The Pistons are 22-23 ATS on the season overall and are 5-4 ATS in their last nine games. with double-digit spreads like tonight’s, they are 3-6 ATS in their last nine such games.

The Nuggets are 18-26 ATS overall with only three teams with worse ATS records. They are 9-12 ATS at home. They have only covered one double-digit spread as favorites all season. But with how Jokic is playing, the Pistons don’t have someone to stop him. They will win big tonight.

Take the NUGGETS -10.5 (-122).

Over/Under

The Pistons are second-to-last in scoring this season. Even with a 133-point game, they have averaged only 103 points in their last six games. Only three of their last nine games have gone Over the projected total.

The Nuggets’ last five games have hit the Over. They have averaged 124.6 points in their last five.

Take OVER 217.5 (-115).

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Memphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Memphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) travel to the Mile High City Friday to play the Denver Nuggets (23-20) at the Ball Arena. The tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Grizzlies vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Memphis (+6.5) got drubbed 126-114 at the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday for its second loss in the past three games. But, the Grizzlies have been red-hot this month.

In January, Memphis is 8-2 straight-up (SU) and 8-2 against the spread (ATS) with a plus.6-7 adjusted net rating (ranked sixth) and a plus-5.4 ATS margin (ranked fourth), according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).

Denver (-8.5) squeaked past the Los Angeles Clippers 130-128 in overtime Wednesday for its third win in the past three games.

The Nuggets are 6-4 SU and 4-6 ATS this month with a plus-5.8 adjusted net rating (ranked seventh) and a plus-0.9 ATS margin (ranked 13th), per CTG.

The Grizzlies are 2-0 SU and ATS versus the Nuggets this season, both in Memphis and five of their past six meetings have gone Under the total, including three straight.

Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA January 21 breakdown

Grizzlies at Nuggets 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 1:45 p.m. ET.

Money line: Grizzlies +133 (bet $100 to win $133) | Nuggets -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Grizzlies +3.5 (-110) | Nuggets -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Grizzlies at Nuggets key injuries

Grizzlies

SF Kyle Anderson (health and safety protocols) out
SG Desmond Bane (health and safety protocols) out
SG Dillon Brooks (ankle) out
PG Tyus Jones (health and safety protocols) out

Nuggets

PG Jamal Murray (knee) out
PF JaMychal Green (health and safety protocols) out

Grizzlies at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 118, Grizzlies 110

Money line

PASS with a heavy “lean” towards the Nuggets (-165) since this is on the fringe of my price range, and I’d much rather have a Nuggets SU ticket than sweat Denver covering the spread.

Against the spread

BET the NUGGETS -3.5 (-110) for 1 unit because it feels like the sportsbooks are laying a trap with the Grizzlies +3.5 (-110).

Most of the market is hammering Memphis plus the points since the Grizzlies have been one of the best teams with an MVP candidate (Ja Morant). Also, most of the trends point to Memphis being the right side.

And despite the lopsided pro-Grizzlies action, there’s a line freeze and oddsmakers haven’t moved this number from the opener.

However, I would wait closer to tip-off before placing a wager since money is pouring on Memphis, and eventually the oddsmakers will respond accordingly.

More importantly, Denver has the reigning MVP—Nikola Jokic—who’s arguably playing better this season and has balled out in recent meetings with Memphis big Steven Adams.

For instance, Jokic is averaging 30.4 points per game (PPG) on 61.3% shooting (44.9% from 3-point land) with 9.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists in his last 10 games versus Adams.

Also, Memphis is top-five in both second-chance PPG and fast-break PPG. But, Denver’s defense ranks first in second-chance PPG allowed and ninth in fast-break PPG allowed.

BET the NUGGETS -3.5 (-110).

Over/Under

“LEAN” to the OVER 224.5 (-107) for a one-third unit because I’m much more confident in the Nuggets winning SU than the total.

But, Denver can get hot from deep, and Memphis tends to get a little lost when playing perimeter defense. The Nuggets are ninth in 3-point attempt rate, and the Grizzlies are 26th in defensive 3-point shooting percentage.

Plus both teams play more to the Over slightly in their respective location-based splits. Memphis is 10-9-2 O/U in away games and Denver is 11-9 O/U in home games.

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If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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