The Denver Nuggets (46-26) face the Toronto Raptors (52-19) in the Orlando bubble for a 1:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Nuggets-Raptors NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Nuggets vs. Raptors Key injuries
Nuggets
- SG Gary Harris (hip) out
- SF Will Barton (knee) out
Raptors
- SF OG Anunoby (knee) questionable
- PF Serge Ibaka (knee) questionable
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Nuggets vs. Raptors: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Raptors 108, Nuggets 101
Moneyline (ML)
The Raptors (-149) won their third consecutive game, 125-121 against the Philadelphia 76ers, and are 6-1 in the bubble. Toronto is locked into the 2-seed and will play the 7th-seeded Brooklyn Nets Monday, Aug. 17.
The Nuggets (+125) have struggled in the bubble, going 3-4, and lost back-to-back games against both the Los Angeles teams. Denver enters the Western Conference Playoffs as the 3-seed and will be playing the 6th-seeded Utah Jazz.
The Nuggets have beaten Toronto in three straight games going back to last season. The Raptors were missing PG Fred VanVleet and C Marc Gasol but the Nuggets were without PF Paul Millsap in their March 1 meeting this year.
Judging by the box scores of Thursday’s games, we’ll probably see the starters play a maximum of 20 minutes. Toronto is a little healthier and a little deeper. Neither team has anything to play for, and I’m banking on the Raptors being a little more motivated in this game because they’ve lost three straight to Denver.
I am BETTING THE RAPTORS (-149) on the moneyline. New to sports betting? A $149 wager on the Raptors (-149) pays a $100 profit if Toronto beats Denver outright.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
I’d rather spend the extra 39 cents on the dollar than lay two points when betting the Raptors -2.5 (-110). It would actually be foolish to bet Toronto on the moneyline and get the Jazz +2.5 (-110) in hopes of a one-basket loss for Utah. I feel good about Toronto winning here, so PASS ON THE SPREAD.
Over/Under (O/U)
There was no Over/Under listed at the time of publishing, but the lean is to the Under.
The Over is 8-2-1 in the last 11 Nuggets- Raptors meetings. Both head coaches—Mike Malone in Denver and Nick Nurse in Toronto—are very good and I think we’ll get motivated players.
But they will be backups and I have more faith in their defense rather than offense.
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