With each team having traded major body blows in Denver, it will be intriguing to see which team comes out swinging as the Blazers host the Nuggets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
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.
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers?
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NUGGETS
116 -
TRAIL BLAZERS
120
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 May 12:51pm | DEN | -4.5 -119 | O +160.5 -137 |
| Closing 27 May 7:34pm | DEN | -3.5 -110 | O +227.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
| Points |
26.36 |
| Assists |
8.32 |
| Rebounds |
10.83 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.33 |
| Blocks |
1.08 |
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
29.8 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.6 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
1.25 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
| Points |
26.36 |
| Assists |
8.32 |
| Rebounds |
10.83 |
| FG% |
56.6 |
| Steals |
1.33 |
| Blocks |
1.08 |
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
29.8 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.6 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
1.25 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
Injuries
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Austin Rivers (PG)
Paul Millsap (PF)
Facundo Campazzo (PG)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Monte Morris (PG)
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
PJ Dozier (SG)
Zeke Nnaji (PF)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Nassir Little (SF)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Norman Powell (SG)
Norman Powell (SG)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Norman Powell (SG)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Porter Jr. (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 09 / 06 / 21 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is expected to take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference second round despite a back injury. |
|||||
| Austin Rivers (PG) | Prob Sat | Illness - 21 / 05 / 21 | 4-6 | 7-3 | + - |
|
Rivers is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Paul Millsap (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Millsap will not take the court versus the Pistons on Friday as he will be handed a day of rest. |
|||||
| Facundo Campazzo (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Campazzo will be held out of the lineup against the Pistons on Friday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Gordon will not be available for Friday's matchup with the Pistons as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Monte Morris (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 | 6-7 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Morris will not be available for Thursday's contest versus the Timberwolves as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Michael Porter Jr. (PF) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 | 6-7 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. will not take the court against the Timberwolves on Thursday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Prob Tues | Calf - 09 / 05 / 21 | 6-9 | 10-5 | + - |
|
Gordon is dealing with right calf tightness, but he is likely to suit up for Tuesday's battle against the Hornets. |
|||||
| PJ Dozier (SG) | Late June | Groin - 04 / 05 / 21 | 8-10 | 10-8 | + - |
|
Dozier is sidelined with a right adductor strain, and he is not expected to be available until the later part of June. |
|||||
| Zeke Nnaji (PF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 30 / 04 / 21 | 9-11 | 11-9 | + - |
|
Nnaji has sat out the previous four games due to a sprained left ankle, and it is up in the air if he will take the court versus the Nets on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Nassir Little (SF) | Ques Sun | Back - 11 / 05 / 21 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 | 7-5 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-6 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Ques Mon | Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 | 8-6 | 9-5 | + - |
|
Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday. |
|||||
| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Ques Fri | Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Sat | Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 | 15-12 | 14-13 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Thurs | Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 May 12:51pm DEN -4.5 -119 O +160.5 -137 Closing 27 May 7:34pm DEN -3.5 -110 O +227.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
Points 26.36
Assists 8.32
Rebounds 10.83
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.33
Blocks 1.08
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 29.8
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.6
FG% 100
Steals 1.4
Blocks 1.25
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
Points 26.36
Assists 8.32
Rebounds 10.83
FG% 56.6
Steals 1.33
Blocks 1.08
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 29.8
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.6
FG% 100
Steals 1.4
Blocks 1.25
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
-
Injuries
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 09 / 06 / 21Austin Rivers (PG)
Prob Sat Illness - 21 / 05 / 21Paul Millsap (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Facundo Campazzo (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Aaron Gordon (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Monte Morris (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21Aaron Gordon (PF)
Prob Tues Calf - 09 / 05 / 21PJ Dozier (SG)
Late June Groin - 04 / 05 / 21Zeke Nnaji (PF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21Nassir Little (SF)
Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Michael Porter Jr. (PF) Prob Wed Back - 09 / 06 / 21 0-3 1-2 + - Porter Jr. is expected to take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference second round despite a back injury.
Austin Rivers (PG) Prob Sat Illness - 21 / 05 / 21 4-6 7-3 + - Rivers is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Paul Millsap (PF) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 6-6 7-5 + - Millsap will not take the court versus the Pistons on Friday as he will be handed a day of rest.
Facundo Campazzo (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 6-6 7-5 + - Campazzo will be held out of the lineup against the Pistons on Friday as he will receive a day of rest.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 6-6 7-5 + - Gordon will not be available for Friday's matchup with the Pistons as he will be given a day of rest.
Monte Morris (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 6-7 8-5 + - Morris will not be available for Thursday's contest versus the Timberwolves as he will be given a day of rest.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 6-7 8-5 + - Porter Jr. will not take the court against the Timberwolves on Thursday as he will receive a day of rest.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Prob Tues Calf - 09 / 05 / 21 6-9 10-5 + - Gordon is dealing with right calf tightness, but he is likely to suit up for Tuesday's battle against the Hornets.
PJ Dozier (SG) Late June Groin - 04 / 05 / 21 8-10 10-8 + - Dozier is sidelined with a right adductor strain, and he is not expected to be available until the later part of June.
Zeke Nnaji (PF) Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 04 / 21 9-11 11-9 + - Nnaji has sat out the previous four games due to a sprained left ankle, and it is up in the air if he will take the court versus the Nets on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Nassir Little (SF) Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21 6-4 6-4 + - Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 7-5 7-5 + - Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 7-6 8-5 + - Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday.
Norman Powell (SG) Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 8-6 9-5 + - Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 15-12 14-13 + - Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz.