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%).
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
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)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
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).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this NBA game or any other matchups? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]
