The Nuggets own the league’s worst defence in the NBA bubble - allowing an ugly 122.4 points per 100 possessions. They are a perfect 7-0 Over mark in their last seven games.
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.
Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Raptors?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 14 Aug 2:31pm | DEN | -3.5 -110 | O +224.5 -110 |
| Closing 14 Aug 5:37pm | DEN | -2.5 -115 | O +223.5 -115 |
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Jerami Grant (SF)
Paul Millsap (PF)
Troy Daniels (SG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
OG Anunoby (SF)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Paul Watson (SG)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
Oshae Brissett (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 26 / 09 / 20 | 0-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Murray is expected to be active for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers despite a right knee contusion. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Tues | Hip - 13 / 09 / 20 | 5-1 | 3-3-1 | + - |
|
Murray has a right hip injury, and his status is in question for Game 7 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 11 / 09 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4-1 | + - |
|
Craig is managing a sore right knee, but likely to be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20 | 8-3 | 4-7-2 | + - |
|
Murray is expected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers despite a quad contusion. |
|||||
| Michael Porter Jr. (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 10-8-2 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is not expected to suit up Friday against the Raptors as he likely will be given the day to rest. |
|||||
| Jerami Grant (SF) | Prob Wed | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 13-7 | 12-8-2 | + - |
|
Grant missed the last game battling a sore right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's clash with the Clippers. |
|||||
| Paul Millsap (PF) | Out Thurs | Rest - 06 / 08 / 20 | 14-8 | 14-8-2 | + - |
|
Millsap will not suit up Thursday against the Trail Blazers as he likely will be given the day to rest. |
|||||
| Troy Daniels (SG) | Ques Wed | Hip - 06 / 08 / 20 | 14-8 | 14-8-2 | + - |
|
Daniels has been out of the lineup in the previous three games due to tightness in his right hip. It remains to be seen if he will take the court Wednesday versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Ques Thurs | Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20 | 15-8 | 15-8-2 | + - |
|
Craig left the last game with a lip laceration, and it is up in the air if he will play in Thursday's contest with the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
| Vlatko Cancar (SF) | Out indefinitely | Foot - 31 / 07 / 20 | 15-9 | 16-8-2 | + - |
|
Cancar is sidelined while recovering from a broken left foot, and it is uncertain when he will join the team. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 21 / 08 / 20 | 4-5 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 | 6-6 | 5-7 | + - |
|
VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday. |
|||||
| OG Anunoby (SF) | Prob Mon | Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 | 7-6 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Mon | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 8-6 | 5-9 | + - |
|
Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 8-6 | 5-9 | + - |
|
VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers. |
|||||
| Paul Watson (SG) | Doub Sun | Back - 09 / 08 / 20 | 8-7 | 5-10 | + - |
|
Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Sun | Eye - 08 / 08 / 20 | 9-7 | 5-11 | + - |
|
Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) | day-to-day | Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 5-13 | + - |
|
Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question. |
|||||
| Oshae Brissett (PF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 31 / 07 / 20 | 11-7 | 5-13 | + - |
|
Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 14 Aug 2:31pm DEN -3.5 -110 O +224.5 -110 Closing 14 Aug 5:37pm DEN -2.5 -115 O +223.5 -115 -
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 09 / 20Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Tues Hip - 13 / 09 / 20Torrey Craig (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 09 / 20Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20Jerami Grant (SF)
Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Paul Millsap (PF)
Out Thurs Rest - 06 / 08 / 20Troy Daniels (SG)
Ques Wed Hip - 06 / 08 / 20Torrey Craig (SF)
Ques Thurs Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Out indefinitely Foot - 31 / 07 / 20Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20OG Anunoby (SF)
Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Paul Watson (SG)
Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)
day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20Oshae Brissett (PF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 09 / 20 0-0 1-0 + - Murray is expected to be active for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers despite a right knee contusion.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Tues Hip - 13 / 09 / 20 5-1 3-3-1 + - Murray has a right hip injury, and his status is in question for Game 7 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers.
Torrey Craig (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 09 / 20 5-2 3-4-1 + - Craig is managing a sore right knee, but likely to be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers.
Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20 8-3 4-7-2 + - Murray is expected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers despite a quad contusion.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 11-7 10-8-2 + - Porter Jr. is not expected to suit up Friday against the Raptors as he likely will be given the day to rest.
Jerami Grant (SF) Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 13-7 12-8-2 + - Grant missed the last game battling a sore right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's clash with the Clippers.
Paul Millsap (PF) Out Thurs Rest - 06 / 08 / 20 14-8 14-8-2 + - Millsap will not suit up Thursday against the Trail Blazers as he likely will be given the day to rest.
Troy Daniels (SG) Ques Wed Hip - 06 / 08 / 20 14-8 14-8-2 + - Daniels has been out of the lineup in the previous three games due to tightness in his right hip. It remains to be seen if he will take the court Wednesday versus the Clippers.
Torrey Craig (SF) Ques Thurs Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20 15-8 15-8-2 + - Craig left the last game with a lip laceration, and it is up in the air if he will play in Thursday's contest with the Trail Blazers.
Vlatko Cancar (SF) Out indefinitely Foot - 31 / 07 / 20 15-9 16-8-2 + - Cancar is sidelined while recovering from a broken left foot, and it is uncertain when he will join the team.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20 2-1 1-2 + - Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20 4-5 2-7 + - Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 6-6 5-7 + - VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday.
OG Anunoby (SF) Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 7-6 5-8 + - Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 8-6 5-9 + - Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 8-6 5-9 + - VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers.
Paul Watson (SG) Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20 8-7 5-10 + - Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20 9-7 5-11 + - Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF) day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20 11-7 5-13 + - Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question.
Oshae Brissett (PF) Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20 11-7 5-13 + - Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies.