The Toronto Raptors are dealing with plenty of injury issues as they prepare to host the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets make their only visit to Scotiabank Arena this season on Monday night to face the Raptors. Toronto will be an underdog on the NBA odds but by how much depends on a few injuries.
Nuggets vs. Raptors NBA Betting Odds
Denver centre Nikola Jokic is exhibit No. 1 that championship teams don’t have to be built solely on the backs of high-first-round picks. Jokic, a 2014 second-round pick, won his third career MVP award last season, becoming one of nine players to win at least three and the only non-American to do so. The one season in the past four that Jokic didn’t win, in 2022-23, he finished second to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid. That was the season Jokic led Denver to its only NBA title.
Unlike Embiid and some other superstars, NBA backers rarely have to worry about Jokic getting a night off simply for rest as he almost never sits if healthy. He won’t play all 82 games and very few players do these days, but high 70s if good health. Jokic also nearly led Serbia to an upset of Team USA in the Olympic basketball semifinals this summer in Paris, but the Americans staged a huge fourth-quarter rally and would go on to win the gold. Serbia would beat Germany for the bronze.
Toronto lost both meetings vs. Denver last season, but they were competitive. Jokic averaged 33.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.0 blocks in the two. That any good? The Nuggets are 9-3 ATS in their past 12 as the road team in the series.
Denver Nuggets
Denver has been hit hard by free-agent defections the past two off-seasons as it’s very expensive to maintain a championship roster these days. Thus, this team might be taking a fairly big step back this year if the first two games are any indication, home losses to Oklahoma City (in a blowout) and the short-handed L.A. Clippers. Nikola Jokic is off to a usual start for him as the three-time MVP is averaging 28.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists, all team highs.
The Nuggets still have perhaps the best Canadian player in the NBA on their roster in guard Jamal Murray, and Murray won’t be leaving Denver soon as in September he signed a four-year, $208 million (US) extension. He was poised for free agency next summer. Murray, one of eight players with multiple 50-point playoff games in NBA history, is the franchise’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers. He’s struggling a bit in the early going this season in averaging 17.0 points on 40.7 per cent shooting, both well down from 2023-24. The Nuggets have won eight in a row vs. Eastern Conference teams.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were down RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Kelly Olynyk in the second of a back-of-back on Saturday in Minnesota and predictably were beaten by double digits. Consider each questionable Monday. Toronto missed eight of its first nine shots and fell behind 16-3. That was that.
Gradey Dick was a bright spot, however, seeing a huge uptick in shots without that trio and finishing with a career-high 25 points. Dick joined Chris Bosh (12 games), Scottie Barnes (six) and Tracy McGrady (three) as the only players in Raptors franchise history under the age of 21 to record a 25-point game.
Ochai Agbaji also saw more run and was 8-for-12 from the field for 19 points. After shooting 46 free throws in their win over Philadelphia on Friday, the Raptors went to the line just 13 times, making nine. Toronto is 0-12 in its past 12 vs. Western Conference teams. It has split 28 all-time home games vs. Denver.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Raptors?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 27 Oct 11:13pm | - | - | O +219.5 -110 |
| Closing 29 Oct 1:44am | - | - | O +223.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
Nuggets Team Leaders
| Points |
30.13 |
| Assists |
10.38 |
| Rebounds |
13 |
| FG% |
58 |
| Steals |
1.69 |
| Blocks |
1 |
| Points |
23.95 |
| Assists |
7.18 |
| Rebounds |
11.77 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.36 |
| Blocks |
1.32 |
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
30.13 |
| Assists |
10.38 |
| Rebounds |
13 |
| FG% |
58 |
| Steals |
1.69 |
| Blocks |
1 |
| Points |
23.95 |
| Assists |
7.18 |
| Rebounds |
11.77 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.36 |
| Blocks |
1.32 |
Injuries
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Peyton Watson (SG)
Peyton Watson (SG)
Peyton Watson (SG)
Peyton Watson (SG)
Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Nikola Jokic (C)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Jonathan Mogbo (PF)
Gradey Dick (SG)
Jamal Shead (SG)
D.J. Carton (PG)
Bruno Fernando (PF)
Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
Jonathan Mogbo (PF)
Garrett Temple (SG)
Scottie Barnes (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Prob Thurs | Calf - 04 / 12 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gordon is nursing a right calf strain, but he is projected to be active for Thursday's clash versus the Cavaliers. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Ques Tues | Calf - 02 / 12 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Gordon is dealing with a calf injury, but he is expected to face Warriors on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Peyton Watson (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 02 / 12 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Watson is nursing with a groin injury, but he is projected to play Tuesday's game against the Warriors. |
|||||
| Peyton Watson (SG) | Prob Sun | Groin - 01 / 12 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Watson is dealing with a right adductor strain, and he is anticipated to play against the Clippers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Peyton Watson (SG) | Prob Wed | Hip - 26 / 11 / 24 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Watson is tending a right adductor strain, but he is expected to take the court for Wednesday's clash versus the Jazz. |
|||||
| Peyton Watson (SG) | Prob Mon | Hip - 24 / 11 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Watson is managing a right adductor strain, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Monday. |
|||||
| Vlatko Cancar (SF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 20 / 11 / 24 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Cancar will miss an undetermined length of time with a left knee sprain, and there is no timetable for recovery. |
|||||
| Vlatko Cancar (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 16 / 11 / 24 | 3-5 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Cancar is laid up with a right ankle sprain, but he will feature in the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Nikola Jokic (C) | Ques Fri | Personal - 14 / 11 / 24 | 3-5 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Jokic is dealing with a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Mavericks on Friday. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Out indefinitely | Leg - 05 / 11 / 24 | 6-6 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Gordon is nursing a leg injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Mogbo (PF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 29 / 11 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Mogbo left the game due a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Heat on Sunday. |
|||||
| Gradey Dick (SG) | Ques Thurs | Calf - 25 / 11 / 24 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Dick is nursing a left calf strain, and it is uncertain if he will participate against the Thunder on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jamal Shead (SG) | Ques Thurs | Wrist - 19 / 11 / 24 | 6-2 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Shead left the match with a wrist injury, and it is up in the air if he will play Thursday against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
| D.J. Carton (PG) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 18 / 11 / 24 | 6-2 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Carton is hampered by a right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will take the court to against the Pelicans on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Bruno Fernando (PF) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 17 / 11 / 24 | 6-3 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Fernando missed the previous two games due to a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will dress for Sunday's clash against the Cavaliers. |
|||||
| Immanuel Quickley (SG) | Mid Dec | Elbow - 11 / 11 / 24 | 7-5 | 4-8 | + - |
|
Quickley is dealing with a partially torn UCL in his elbow, and he is expected to be sidelined until Mid of December. |
|||||
| Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) | Ques Wed | Shoulder - 08 / 11 / 24 | 7-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Walter is hobbled by a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will dress against the Pelicans on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Jonathan Mogbo (PF) | Prob Sat | Hip - 07 / 11 / 24 | 8-6 | 5-9 | + - |
|
Mogbo exited the previous game due to a right hip pointer, but he is expected to play Saturday's matchup against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Garrett Temple (SG) | Prob Tues | Back - 06 / 11 / 24 | 8-6 | 5-9 | + - |
|
Temple has missed the last three games dealing with back injury, and he is projected to be active against the Bucks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Scottie Barnes (SF) | Prob Thurs | Eye - 28 / 10 / 24 | 13-6 | 9-10 | + - |
|
Barnes is nursing a right eye injury, but he is projected to be active against the Timberwolves on Thursday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 27 Oct 11:13pm - - O +219.5 -110 Closing 29 Oct 1:44am - - O +223.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
Nuggets Team Leaders
Points 30.13
Assists 10.38
Rebounds 13
FG% 58
Steals 1.69
Blocks 1
Points 23.95
Assists 7.18
Rebounds 11.77
FG% 100
Steals 1.36
Blocks 1.32
-
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 30.13
Assists 10.38
Rebounds 13
FG% 58
Steals 1.69
Blocks 1
Points 23.95
Assists 7.18
Rebounds 11.77
FG% 100
Steals 1.36
Blocks 1.32
-
Injuries
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Prob Thurs Calf - 04 / 12 / 24Aaron Gordon (PF)
Ques Tues Calf - 02 / 12 / 24Peyton Watson (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 02 / 12 / 24Peyton Watson (SG)
Prob Sun Groin - 01 / 12 / 24Peyton Watson (SG)
Prob Wed Hip - 26 / 11 / 24Peyton Watson (SG)
Prob Mon Hip - 24 / 11 / 24Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 20 / 11 / 24Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 16 / 11 / 24Nikola Jokic (C)
Ques Fri Personal - 14 / 11 / 24Aaron Gordon (PF)
Out indefinitely Leg - 05 / 11 / 24Jonathan Mogbo (PF)
Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 24Gradey Dick (SG)
Ques Thurs Calf - 25 / 11 / 24Jamal Shead (SG)
Ques Thurs Wrist - 19 / 11 / 24D.J. Carton (PG)
Ques Wed Ankle - 18 / 11 / 24Bruno Fernando (PF)
Ques Sun Ankle - 17 / 11 / 24Immanuel Quickley (SG)
Mid Dec Elbow - 11 / 11 / 24Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
Ques Wed Shoulder - 08 / 11 / 24Jonathan Mogbo (PF)
Prob Sat Hip - 07 / 11 / 24Garrett Temple (SG)
Prob Tues Back - 06 / 11 / 24Scottie Barnes (SF)
Prob Thurs Eye - 28 / 10 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Aaron Gordon (PF) Prob Thurs Calf - 04 / 12 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Gordon is nursing a right calf strain, but he is projected to be active for Thursday's clash versus the Cavaliers.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Ques Tues Calf - 02 / 12 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Gordon is dealing with a calf injury, but he is expected to face Warriors on Tuesday.
Peyton Watson (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 02 / 12 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Watson is nursing with a groin injury, but he is projected to play Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
Peyton Watson (SG) Prob Sun Groin - 01 / 12 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Watson is dealing with a right adductor strain, and he is anticipated to play against the Clippers on Sunday.
Peyton Watson (SG) Prob Wed Hip - 26 / 11 / 24 2-2 2-2 + - Watson is tending a right adductor strain, but he is expected to take the court for Wednesday's clash versus the Jazz.
Peyton Watson (SG) Prob Mon Hip - 24 / 11 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - Watson is managing a right adductor strain, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Monday.
Vlatko Cancar (SF) Out indefinitely Knee - 20 / 11 / 24 3-4 4-3 + - Cancar will miss an undetermined length of time with a left knee sprain, and there is no timetable for recovery.
Vlatko Cancar (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 16 / 11 / 24 3-5 5-4 + - Cancar is laid up with a right ankle sprain, but he will feature in the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Grizzlies.
Nikola Jokic (C) Ques Fri Personal - 14 / 11 / 24 3-5 5-4 + - Jokic is dealing with a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Mavericks on Friday.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Out indefinitely Leg - 05 / 11 / 24 6-6 9-4 + - Gordon is nursing a leg injury, and he will miss an extended period.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jonathan Mogbo (PF) Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Mogbo left the game due a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Heat on Sunday.
Gradey Dick (SG) Ques Thurs Calf - 25 / 11 / 24 4-2 2-4 + - Dick is nursing a left calf strain, and it is uncertain if he will participate against the Thunder on Thursday.
Jamal Shead (SG) Ques Thurs Wrist - 19 / 11 / 24 6-2 4-4 + - Shead left the match with a wrist injury, and it is up in the air if he will play Thursday against the Timberwolves.
D.J. Carton (PG) Ques Wed Ankle - 18 / 11 / 24 6-2 4-4 + - Carton is hampered by a right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will take the court to against the Pelicans on Wednesday.
Bruno Fernando (PF) Ques Sun Ankle - 17 / 11 / 24 6-3 4-5 + - Fernando missed the previous two games due to a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will dress for Sunday's clash against the Cavaliers.
Immanuel Quickley (SG) Mid Dec Elbow - 11 / 11 / 24 7-5 4-8 + - Quickley is dealing with a partially torn UCL in his elbow, and he is expected to be sidelined until Mid of December.
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) Ques Wed Shoulder - 08 / 11 / 24 7-6 4-9 + - Walter is hobbled by a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will dress against the Pelicans on Wednesday.
Jonathan Mogbo (PF) Prob Sat Hip - 07 / 11 / 24 8-6 5-9 + - Mogbo exited the previous game due to a right hip pointer, but he is expected to play Saturday's matchup against the Clippers.
Garrett Temple (SG) Prob Tues Back - 06 / 11 / 24 8-6 5-9 + - Temple has missed the last three games dealing with back injury, and he is projected to be active against the Bucks on Tuesday.
Scottie Barnes (SF) Prob Thurs Eye - 28 / 10 / 24 13-6 9-10 + - Barnes is nursing a right eye injury, but he is projected to be active against the Timberwolves on Thursday.