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Andrew Rogers
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game 3 Prediction, Playoff Odds
The Nuggets rebounded nicely from a stunning 14-point home loss in the opener, cruising to a 128-109 win in Game 2 – but they’re slight underdogs Thursday against a Blazers team that has won 11 of its last 14.
Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers NBA Playoff Odds
The Blazers come in as four-point favourites, riding a 4-1 ATS streak over their past four games. But they weren’t exactly an automatic cover option at Moda Center during the regular season, going just 15-21 ATS – and that might be enough to have swayed the Sports Interaction bettor pool, which is siding with the Nuggets to cover at a 53-percent majority. Denver, however, has just one cover in its previous six visits to Portland.
The bet split on the total is much more one-sided, with 78 percent of Sports Interaction bettors taking the O227.5 (which carries identical -110 odds to the U227.5). The first two games of the series surpassed the total, and both teams have been superior Over plays during the season, with Denver at 41-32-1 O/U and Portland at 38-35-1. On the flip side, the Nuggets have finished below the number in 13 of their previous 18 road games.
Denver Nuggets
He’s well past his All-Star prime, but bettors shouldn’t be surprised to see the Nuggets use power forward Paul Millsap a little more moving forward. Millsap has looked sensational through the first two games of the series, averaging nine points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists in just 14.5 minutes per contest. His emergence gives the Nuggets some much-needed versatility and balance, with Nikola Jokic carrying the majority of the load as expected.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers had no answer for Jokic and the Nuggets in Game 2 – and while Damian Lillard was sensational with 42 points in defeat, just 10 of those came after the break. The Nuggets switching defensive assignments to put versatile wing Aaron Gordon on Lillard in the second half played a role, but Lillard told reporters he’ll look to make adjustments ahead of Game 3. Lillard is still a terrific Over play on his point prop as the No. 1 scoring source for Portland.
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