The San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets are both surprisingly desperate for a win when they cross paths on Sunday evening.
San Antonio’s struggles from last season have carried over into the current one. The club is living through a rebuilding phase for which the price to pay is a bucket load of defeats. Friday’s at Golden State was their 11thin a row. The Nuggets, somewhat surprisingly, have just concluded an atrocious road trip, going 1-4 in the process. They were defeated 105-85 by the Houston Rockets on Friday.
The NBA odds believe that some home cooking will do Denver good, as Mike Malone’s group is pinned at -11.5.
Spurs vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Odds
Despite how good the Nuggets have been for a few seasons and how the Spurs have experienced a cavernous drop in quality, the head-to-head matchups are rather even. Last year the Texan outfit managed to steal one of the three regular-season meetings, and the previous season, the sides shared the spoils over four contests. One of those Spurs wins, in April 2022, came in Denver.
What do betters do with San Antonio? They can’t really be trusted on the moneyline given the 3-13 tally. Against the spread the club doesn’t inspire much confidence either at 6-10. Victor Wembenyama is averaging 9-4 rebounds a game (it would be embarrassing if he were doing any less). Although Denver is one of the best teams defending against rebounds, this could be one of the few hopeful props.
Chalk it up to Jamal Murray’s absence and maybe a dose of champions fatigue, but the Nuggets aren’t shining like they used to. As defending champions, it goes without saying that they are favoured regularly. One can therefore imagine that the 10-6 straight-up record hasn’t done them favours with the spread, which it hasn’t at 5-11. Shockingly, the Nuggets have not covered for eight consecutive games.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio looked decent for about a quarter on Friday night when they visited the Golden State Warriors, then fell behind before mounting a modest comeback to make the 118-112 defeat interesting.
Greg Popovich, one of the great NBA head coaches of any generation, might want to remind his side that they aren’t a very good three-point shooting unit. Their efficiency is 28th yet they take the 10th most shots per game. On Friday this resulted in a paltry 25.5 per cent night off 47 attempts. Think about that. A whopping 47 shots from beyond the arc with only 12 going in against a team that has Stephen Curry (who drained seven of his 14 attempts). Wembenyama tallied 22 points and looked quite good in spurts with his mid-range shot. Keldon Johnson joind him with 22 points as well and funnily had more rebounds (12 to 9). Devin Vassell was a force off the bench, tallying 24 points of his own with a very good 10-for-19 evening.
All the same, this is not the time to expect much from this Spurs group. They’re growing and will lose a lot more before they start winning.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are probably very happy to be back home. All in all it’s been a testy start of their championship defence. The road trip didn’t help in the slightest, with the group going 1-4, culminating with the 105-86 drubbing in Houston.
For one, Denver isn’t shooting well. To be fair, playing against Orlando and Houston in the same week won’t help because those are two of the NBA’s best defensive sides. Even so, a 34 per cent night from the field (23.3 from long range) makes the task all the more difficult against a team like the Rockets who are finally getting used to winning more than losing. It’s nice to see Nikola Jokic get 38 points, eight assists and an incredible 19 rebounds, but no one else came along with him. Reggie Jackson? Two points. Aaron Gordon? Two points. Michael Porter Jr? He put in 14 points. That’s not going to get it done.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Spurs vs. Nuggets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 26 Nov 1:38am | DEN | -11.5 -110 | O +228.5 -110 |
Closing 27 Nov 3:15am | DEN | -21.5 -110 | U +244.5 -150 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Spurs Team Leaders
Points |
21.44 |
Assists |
6.21 |
Rebounds |
10.63 |
FG% |
72.5 |
Steals |
1.24 |
Blocks |
3.58 |
Points |
26.39 |
Assists |
8.96 |
Rebounds |
12.35 |
FG% |
62.4 |
Steals |
1.37 |
Blocks |
1.1 |
Points | |
Assists | |
Rebounds | Did not qualify |
FG% | |
Steals | |
Blocks |
Points |
28.67 |
Assists |
8.67 |
Rebounds |
13.42 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.42 |
Blocks |
0.83 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
Points |
21.44 |
Assists |
6.21 |
Rebounds |
10.63 |
FG% |
72.5 |
Steals |
1.24 |
Blocks |
3.58 |
Points |
26.39 |
Assists |
8.96 |
Rebounds |
12.35 |
FG% |
62.4 |
Steals |
1.37 |
Blocks |
1.1 |
Points | |
Assists | |
Rebounds | Did not qualify |
FG% | |
Steals | |
Blocks |
Points |
28.67 |
Assists |
8.67 |
Rebounds |
13.42 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.42 |
Blocks |
0.83 |
Injuries
Zach Collins (PF)
Malaki Branham (SF)
Malaki Branham (SF)
Keldon Johnson (SF)
Julian Champagnie (PF)
Cedi Osman (SF)
Dominick Barlow (PF)
Devin Vassell (SG)
Keldon Johnson (SF)
Keldon Johnson (SF)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Reggie Jackson (PG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Collins (PF) | Prob Sun | Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Collins is hampered by a left thumb contusion, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Pistons on Sunday. |
|||||
Malaki Branham (SF) | Out Sun | Concussion - 12 / 04 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Branham missed the last clash while through concussion protocol, and he will not suit up Sunday versus the Pistons. |
|||||
Malaki Branham (SF) | Prob Wed | Hip - 10 / 04 / 24 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
Branham is hindered by a right hip contusion, but it is expected that he will be available for Wednesday's matchup with the Thunder. |
|||||
Keldon Johnson (SF) | Out Sun | Foot - 08 / 04 / 24 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
Johnson has been absent from the last three contests with a left foot injury, and he will not partake in Sunday's clash with the Pistons. |
|||||
Julian Champagnie (PF) | Ques Tues | Head - 07 / 04 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
Champagnie exited the last game with a head laceration, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the floor against the Grizzlies on Tuesday. |
|||||
Cedi Osman (SF) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 03 / 04 / 24 | 5-2 | 4-3 | + - |
Osman is sidelined with a right ankle injury, and team officials have not yet confirmed an exact return date. |
|||||
Dominick Barlow (PF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 31 / 03 / 24 | 6-2 | 5-3 | + - |
Barlow is idle due to a left knee bone bruise, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Devin Vassell (SG) | out for season | Foot - 31 / 03 / 24 | 6-2 | 5-3 | + - |
Vassell will sit out the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to a stress reaction in his left foot. |
|||||
Keldon Johnson (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 30 / 03 / 24 | 6-2 | 5-3 | + - |
Johnson has sat out the previous three contests with a left foot sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up for Sunday's showdown versus the 76ers. |
|||||
Keldon Johnson (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 26 / 03 / 24 | 8-2 | 6-4 | + - |
Johnson missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Friday's battle with the Knicks. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Sun | Elbow - 18 / 05 / 24 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Murray left the last game with an elbow injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Thurs | Calf - 15 / 05 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, and it is unknown if he will face the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Tues | Calf - 13 / 05 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 12 / 05 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
Reggie Jackson (PG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 11 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
Reggie Jackson (PG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves. |
|||||
Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Sun | Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Fri | Abdominal - 09 / 05 / 24 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
Caldwell-Pope has been bothered from right abdominal contusion, and it is likely to suit up against the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 26 Nov 1:38am DEN -11.5 -110 O +228.5 -110 Closing 27 Nov 3:15am DEN -21.5 -110 U +244.5 -150 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Spurs Team Leaders
Points 21.44
Assists 6.21
Rebounds 10.63
FG% 72.5
Steals 1.24
Blocks 3.58
Points 26.39
Assists 8.96
Rebounds 12.35
FG% 62.4
Steals 1.37
Blocks 1.1
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 28.67
Assists 8.67
Rebounds 13.42
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.42
Blocks 0.83
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
Points 21.44
Assists 6.21
Rebounds 10.63
FG% 72.5
Steals 1.24
Blocks 3.58
Points 26.39
Assists 8.96
Rebounds 12.35
FG% 62.4
Steals 1.37
Blocks 1.1
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 28.67
Assists 8.67
Rebounds 13.42
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.42
Blocks 0.83
-
Injuries
Zach Collins (PF)
Prob Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24Malaki Branham (SF)
Out Sun Concussion - 12 / 04 / 24Malaki Branham (SF)
Prob Wed Hip - 10 / 04 / 24Keldon Johnson (SF)
Out Sun Foot - 08 / 04 / 24Julian Champagnie (PF)
Ques Tues Head - 07 / 04 / 24Cedi Osman (SF)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 03 / 04 / 24Dominick Barlow (PF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 03 / 24Devin Vassell (SG)
out for season Foot - 31 / 03 / 24Keldon Johnson (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 30 / 03 / 24Keldon Johnson (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 26 / 03 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Sun Elbow - 18 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Thurs Calf - 15 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Tues Calf - 13 / 05 / 24Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 12 / 05 / 24Reggie Jackson (PG)
Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 11 / 05 / 24Reggie Jackson (PG)
Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Fri Abdominal - 09 / 05 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Zach Collins (PF) Prob Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Collins is hampered by a left thumb contusion, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Pistons on Sunday.
Malaki Branham (SF) Out Sun Concussion - 12 / 04 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Branham missed the last clash while through concussion protocol, and he will not suit up Sunday versus the Pistons.
Malaki Branham (SF) Prob Wed Hip - 10 / 04 / 24 2-1 1-2 + - Branham is hindered by a right hip contusion, but it is expected that he will be available for Wednesday's matchup with the Thunder.
Keldon Johnson (SF) Out Sun Foot - 08 / 04 / 24 2-2 2-2 + - Johnson has been absent from the last three contests with a left foot injury, and he will not partake in Sunday's clash with the Pistons.
Julian Champagnie (PF) Ques Tues Head - 07 / 04 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Champagnie exited the last game with a head laceration, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the floor against the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Cedi Osman (SF) Out indefinitely Ankle - 03 / 04 / 24 5-2 4-3 + - Osman is sidelined with a right ankle injury, and team officials have not yet confirmed an exact return date.
Dominick Barlow (PF) Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 03 / 24 6-2 5-3 + - Barlow is idle due to a left knee bone bruise, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Devin Vassell (SG) out for season Foot - 31 / 03 / 24 6-2 5-3 + - Vassell will sit out the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to a stress reaction in his left foot.
Keldon Johnson (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 30 / 03 / 24 6-2 5-3 + - Johnson has sat out the previous three contests with a left foot sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up for Sunday's showdown versus the 76ers.
Keldon Johnson (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 26 / 03 / 24 8-2 6-4 + - Johnson missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Friday's battle with the Knicks.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Sun Elbow - 18 / 05 / 24 0-1 0-1 + - Murray left the last game with an elbow injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Thurs Calf - 15 / 05 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, and it is unknown if he will face the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Tues Calf - 13 / 05 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Murray is dealing with a left calf strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 12 / 05 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Sun Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 11 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Caldwell-Pope is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG) Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Jackson is hampered by a left calf contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Sun Calf - 11 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Murray is managing a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Fri Abdominal - 09 / 05 / 24 3-2 3-2 + - Caldwell-Pope has been bothered from right abdominal contusion, and it is likely to suit up against the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.