Having the odds-on favourite to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award doesn’t guarantee a thing for the Denver Nuggets. It took Denver just one playoff game to learn that lesson, as they look to rebound Monday against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers. The Nuggets came into the series as the No. 3 seed but have already lost home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series after the Trail Blazers posted a stunning 121-109 win in Game 1.

Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets NBA Playoff Odds

Denver comes in with a similar line to the one it brought into the series opener, before they fell victim to a red-hot Portland team that has now won seven of its past eight games, while going 5-1 against the spread in its previous six. The Trail Blazers also carry a sizzling 8-1 ATS road mark over their last nine road games. The Nuggets have gone just 2-5 ATS in their past seven outings, and 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. Western Conference opponents.

A slim 53 per cent majority of Sports Interaction participants are siding with the home team minus the points in this one. Meanwhile, an overwhelming 86 per cent are taking the O227 (which carries identical -110 odds to the U227). The previous two games between these teams finished above the total, improving Denver’s O/U mark to 5-2 over the last seven. The Nuggets have been one of the best Over options in the league this season at 40-32-1 O/U.

Portland Trail Blazers

The secret to the Trail Blazers’ success isn’t really much of a secret at all. Damian Lilliard matched MVP candidate Nikola Jokic’s scoring output with 34 points, and the Blazers used their superior secondary scoring to out-duel Denver. Portland’s bench finished with a 34-20 scoring advantage over the Nuggets’ reserves, and that was basically the difference in the outcome. Six Blazers finished in double-digits points, with C.J. McCollum adding 21 and Norman Powell 16.

Denver Nuggets

Denver knew they would be in trouble the moment they lost point guard Jamal Murray to a season-ending knee injury – and their weaknesses were on full display in Game 1. The Nuggets shot just over 30 per cent from 3-point range (highlighted by a 1-for-10 performance from Michael Porter Jr.) and went to the line just eight times, making four shots. Denver took good care of the basketball with just eight turnovers, but forced only six in defeat.

NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets?

TRAIL BLAZERS

Away

117

NUGGETS

Home

120

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Predictions

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