Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will look to take care of business when they host an incendiary Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers in an intriguing matchup of Western Conference title hopefuls on Tuesday night. Now, with the Blazers looking to extend their winning ways and the Nuggets looking to avoid the home upset, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NBA odds.
Trail Blazers vs Nuggets 2020 NBA Odds, Preview & Pick
- When: Tuesday February 4, 2020, 9:00 PM ET
- Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
- TV: NBCS Northwest, Altitude
- Radio: Portland / Denver
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Denver -4.5 / Total: 224
Why Bet On Portland?
There are a bunch of good reasons to back the Blazers to at least cover the chalk in this matchup. First, Portland is playing its best basketball of the season, having won four straight coming into this affair including a commanding 124-107 home win over Utah on Saturday. Then, there’s the fact that all-star point guard Damian Lillard has gone completely bonkers in record-setting fashion lately. Lillard is averaging 48.8 points with four double-doubles and a triple-double over the last six games.
“I think how we’re competing, how we’re playing together and our energy, the swagger that we’ve got about us – we’re sustaining it,” Lillard told reporters. “We’re picking up quality wins against playoff teams, really good teams. We’ve just got to keep rolling.”
Lillard’s 49 three-pointers are the most in league history over a six-game span and his 293 points are tied with Kobe Bryant (2007) for the third-most over six games.
“Teams are trying to get more aggressive and make it harder for me,” Lillard told reporters after scoring 51 points against Utah on Saturday. “I’m just making the plays that I see. When I see them being aggressive, I’m not backing out. I’m going to continue being aggressive against it instead of just giving in to it.”
The Trail Blazers are ranked an encouraging eighth in scoring (113.5 ppg), but just 24th in points allowed (114.7 ppg). Portland has gone 10-16 on the road this season.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 113.54
- Field Goals: 45.65%
- Three Points: 36.79%
- Free Throws: 81.00%
- Rebounds: 46.02
- Average Score Against: 114.72
- Field Goals: 44.75%
- Three Points: 36.83%
- Free Throws: 76.43%
- Rebounds: 47.78
Why Bet On Denver?
The Nuggets have dropped four of their last 10 games and come into this matchup off a heartbreaking 128-123 overtime loss against Detroit on Sunday. All-star center Nikola Jokic put up a phenomenal triple-double by finishing with 39 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists to lead the Nuggets to the much-needed win.
“Nikola for every minute he played, all 40 of them, (records) 39 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and was in attack mode the whole night,” head coach Mike Malone told reporters. “(He) was looking to make plays.”
The Nuggets continue to be without injured starters Jamal Murray (ankle) and Paul Millsap (knee )Denver is ranked fifth in scoring (106.5 ppg) and 19th in points allowed (109.8 ppg). Denver has gone 19-6 on their home floor this season.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 109.78
- Field Goals: 46.06%
- Three Points: 35.03%
- Free Throws: 77.86
- Rebounds: 44.92
- Average Score Against: 106.50
- Field Goals: 45.78%
- Three Points: 33.98%
- Free Throws: 74.75%
- Rebounds: 43.42
NBA Betting Trends for Trail Blazers vs Nuggets
- Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games
- Trail Blazers are 5-1 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went OVER in 7 of Portland’s last 8 games
- Nuggets are 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
- Nuggets are 10-5 SU in the last 15 games
- The total went OVER in 9 of Denver’s last 13 games against Portland
Trail Blazers vs Nuggets Expert Analysis and Prediction
While Denver is playing at home and has a legitimate superstar in Nikola Jokic, Portland is playing fantastic basketball right now and Damian Lillard is on fire like we’ve never seen before. While the Nuggets are 8-1-2 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, Portland has gone a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record while taking out the likes of Indiana, Houston, the LA Lakers and Utah, four teams that are all playoff bound. I’m feeling an outright road win coming for the Blazers in this one!
Pick: Portland 121 Denver 117
