It will be a battle between Northwest Division opponents when the Portland Trail Blazers (13-8) welcome the Denver Nuggets (14-7) to Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 30, 2018.
Portland is a 2.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 214.5 points.
Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Prediction
The Nuggets will be looking for similar success after comfortably covering the 3-point spread against the Los Angeles Lakers in their last game, 117-85. The total points for the game (202) were well under the projected point total of 219. The Nuggets, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.1, had an extraordinary mark of 34.0 and held the Lakers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.420 (below their season average of 0.536). With 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting, Paul Millsap led Denver in scoring.
In the Trail Blazers’ last matchup, they barely escaped the Orlando Magic, 115-112, but were unable to cover as 10-point favorites. The game’s total points (227) finished over the projected point total of 214.5. The Trail Blazers held the Magic to an offensive rebounding percentage of 8.1 (below their season average of 20.4) and had a free throw rate of 0.259 (above their season average of 0.210). Damian Lillard was the top scorer from either team with 41 points on 13-for-22 shooting from the field.
After the Nuggets won three out of four meetings against the Trail Blazers last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Denver won 88-82. The Nuggets made 20 of their 26 free throws (76.9 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (11.3 vs. 14.3).
Denver comes into the game with records of 14-7 straight up (SU) and 12-9 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Nuggets have typically gone under the total (66.7 percent).
Meanwhile, Portland owns records of 13-8 SU and 11-10 ATS. Contrary to Denver, Trail Blazers games have typically finished over the total (57.1 percent).
Denver may have difficulty getting to the foul line in this meeting. The Nuggets rank 25th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.181, while Portland ranks second in FTA rate allowed (0.166).
Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Denver is 4-5 ATS with 7 unders and 2 overs.
At home, Portland is 7-4 ATS with 6 unders and 5 overs.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Portland is 4-0 and Denver is 9-1.
The Nuggets are 14-4 when they score above 100 points, while the Trail Blazers are 13-6.
Denver ranks fifth in assists per game (26.5) while Portland ranks 27th (20.6).
The Nuggets rank eighth in steals per game (8.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 27th (6.1).
Denver ranks fifth in points in the paint per game (53.5) while Portland ranks 23rd (44.9).
The Nuggets rank 15th in points off turnovers per game (17.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (13.4).
Denver averages 15.6 second chance points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. Portland ranks 18th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
The Nuggets rank 1 in rebounds allowed per game (41.476190476190474) while the Trail Blazers rank 15 (44.76190476190476).
Denver ranks 15 in fast break points per game (13.142857142857142) while Portland ranks 27 (10.142857142857142).
The Trail Blazers average 32.666666666666664 three pointers per game, which ranks 12 in the NBA. The Nuggets rank 17 in three pointers allowed per game (31.428571428571427).
Denver averages 5 blocks per game, which ranks 20 in the NBA. Portland ranks 24 in blocks allowed per game (6.142857142857143).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, Denver is 4-1 ATS with 5 unders.
Portland is 0-5 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Nuggets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 8.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 106.0 points per game (6.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 119.6 points per game (8.9 above their season average).
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