The Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets duke it out at the Ball Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Trail Blazers vs Nuggets Prediction.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have been in decent shape lately as they’ve split their last six games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their two-game win streak halted by the Nuggets in a 120-108 road defeat on Friday. Scoot Henderson led the team with 30 points, Anfernee Simons added 29 points on 11 of 23 shooting while Malcolm Brogdon chipped in with 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 46 percent from the field and 10 of 28 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to claw their way back from an early 15-point deficit, only to allow 61 points in the second half to lose by double digits anyway. The Blazers will meet the Pistons after this game.
Denver Nuggets
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in fine form as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after beating the Trail Blazers in a 120-108 win on Friday. Nikola Jokic led the team with a triple-double of 27 points with 22 rebounds and 12 assists, Aaron Gordon added 18 points with five assists on seven of nine shooting while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 50 percent from the field and 12 of 36 from the 3-point line as they wasted an early double digit lead, leaking 35 points in the second quarter to allow the Trail Blazers back into the contest, but they were never really in danger with Jokic barely missing on his way to another monster triple-double. The Nuggets will face the Lakers, Kings, and Bucks after this one.
Denver Nuggets Team Facts
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- Seven of the Nuggets’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Facts
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 13 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in each of their last six games against teams that held a winning record.
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last four games at Ball Arena following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Trail Blazers vs Nuggets Prediction
The Trail Blazers are shorthanded here with Shaedon Sharpe out and Jerami Grant listed as questionable, while the Nuggets are coming in with a full squad. The Trail Blazers were building a bit of momentum before they got routed by the Nuggets on Friday, but they are still a tempting pick with the line so hefty in this one. It’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row, but the Nuggets are levels above the Trail Blazers and I think they get the big win once again.