Nuggets vs. Raptors Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Charlie Grant
The final day of the seeding games sees the defending champion Toronto Raptors take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. It’s a final chance for a tuneup game before the two teams enter the first round of the NBA playoffs.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Denver comes into Friday’s game the loser in three of its last four contests including a 13-point setback to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. The Nuggets are 3-4 straight up and 4-3 against the spread since the restart of the season.
They own the league’s worst defence in the NBA bubble – allowing an ugly 122.4 points per 100 possessions. They’re playing like a total bettor’s dream. They own a perfect 7-0 Over mark in their last seven games.
The club is locked into the third seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket and destined to play the Utah Jazz in the first round of the postseason.
The Raptors improved to 6-1 in Orlando after taking down the Philadelphia 76ers 125-121 on Wednesday night. They failed to cover as 6-point favourites, but they’re still 5-2 against the number in the seeding games.
Toronto begins its title defence with a first round matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. The Dinos will likely be large favourites against a Brooklyn side missing many of its star players.
NBA bettors should pay close attention to the injury report in the lead up to this game. There could be a lot of starters sitting out. The game has no significance in playoff positioning.
Denver Nuggets
Head coach Mike Malone has a lot to think about with his playoff rotation. The emergence of forward Michael Porter Jr. has provided a major offensive spark, but it could throw a kink in the team chemistry if he breaks into the starting lineup.
With or without Porter Jr. in the first five, Jokic remains the central player on the roster. The All-Star centre is averaging 20.1 points and 9.1 assists per game in the Orlando bubble.
Toronto Raptors
The Raps didn’t rest any of their key players on Wednesday against the Sixers. All five, regular starters played against Philly and six different players finished with double figures in points.
Chris Boucher is making a push for playoff minutes. The back of the rotation forward led Toronto in scoring for a second straight game. He’s racked up 44 points over his last two games.