Denver Nuggets (14-10) are still right in the mix for one of the top spots in the Western Conference despite dropping three straight games.
The Portland Trail Blazers (13-11) are trending upwards now that Damian Lillard is officially back in the lineup, as they’ve won two straight games.
The Nuggets vs Trail Blazers prediction will almost certainly favor the Trail Blazers on NBA picks today.
Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Odds
The Nuggets vs Trail Blazers prediction have the Trail Blazers favored with a -1 spread on NBA odds today.
Matchup Information
- Date and Time: December 8, 2022, 10:00 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
- Venue: Moda Center
- How to Watch: NBA League Pass
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets game always revolves around Nikola Jokic, as he is their primary source of NBA player stats in points, rebounds, and assists.
However, the Nuggets have had trouble capitalizing on Jokic’s good production recently, as they have lost three straight games.
Aaron Gordon led the way for the Nuggets in their most recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting.
Bruce Brown’s Revelation
Bones Hyland came off the bench to provide 20 points and five assists. Bruce Brown has been a revelation for the Nuggets, as he had 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Jokic provided 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, which is a tad below his usual production but still enough to keep the Nuggets in the game, as they lost by just one point.
The Nuggets overall put up great NBA team stats offensively, but defensively is where they need a lot of work, as Jokic isn’t the best rim protector the world has ever seen.
Switchable Defenders
Denver relies on guys like Gordon and Brown to be switchable defenders out on the perimeter.
Still, with no backside coverage to really help them, it can be hard for them to be the barrier that prevents opposing teams from getting to the rim or getting clean shots off behind the arc.
The Portland Trail Blazers players had to step up recently when Damian Lillard was sidelined, but the team struggled mightily to put up wins on the board, as they recently went through a stretch in which they lost seven games in eight tries.
Lillard is the steady force that the Trail Blazers missed, as he can create his shot at will and get to the rim for easy buckets inside.
Lillard’s Presence
Lillard’s presence opens up opportunities for his teammates, such as Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant to get into the flow of the game offensively and get good looks in their comfort zones.
Grant additionally provides a solid all-around presence with his ability to do a little bit of everything, such as scoring, playmaking, and rebounding, while also having the ability to guard 1-5 on the defensive side of the floor.
Overall, the Trail Blazers are ranked just outside the top 10 in offensive rating but are considered one of the worst defensive teams in the league.
Both of these teams met at the beginning of the season, as the Trail Blazers blew out the Nuggets 135-110.
Lillard went off for 31 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Simons provided 29 points and five assists. Grant also chipped in 21 points.
Triple-double
Jokic finished just shy of a triple-double with nine points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, but he was otherwise kept in check,
Jusuf Nurkic served as the primary defender on Jokic, as he limited him to just 1-of-2 shooting in over seven minutes of defending him. However, Jokic could still dish out seven dimes while being defended by his former teammate.
Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Betting Pick and Prediction
This should definitely all be considered when making your Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Prediction, as this will almost certainly be one of the more exciting NBA matchups on the NBA schedule today.
NBA Pick: Blazers -1 (-110)
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