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This NBA free pick for the Denver vs. Portland game is courtesy of our friends at PreGame.com. Visit the site here for all the latest free picks and game analyses.
The Denver Nuggets host the Portland Trailblazers in a Western Conference clash tonight. Both of these teams are headed in opposite directions in the playoff standings. While Denver is free falling, the Blazers are surging. The Nuggets are 4 point favorites, with a total of 201.5 points tonight. TNT will televise the game at 10:30 EDT.
Denver is playing bad basketball right now, there is no getting around it. The Nuggets have lost 5 of their last 6 games SU, and haven't won a game ATS over their past 9 games. Denver has struggled to score of late, as they've been held under 100 PTS in 7 of their past 9 contests. That offensive streak is pronounced considering the Nuggets average 106.9 PPG overall this season, the 3rd most in the NBA. The Nuggets are 48-27 SU and 31-38-6 ATS overall this season. The Nuggets are 30-6 SU and 17-18-1 in home games this season. With their recent SU demise, the Nuggets are now in 5th place in the Western Conference playoff standings. Less than a week ago the Nuggets were in 2nd place, and pushing the Lakers for the top spot in the West. It is becoming increasingly clear that the health of Coach Karl is taking its toll on the entire Nuggets team. 5 different Nuggets average double figures in PTS this season, led by F Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony is averaging 28.6 PPG, the 3rd most in the NBA. Defensively, the Nuggets have allowed 6 of their past 9 opponents to score at least 102 PTS.
The Nuggets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. The under is 7-1 in the Nuggets last 8 games overall.
Forward Kenyon Martin continues to miss game time due to a balky knee.
Portland is attempting to stay out of the #8 spot in the Western Conference, and with their current form it's likely they will move up a few spots in the standings. The Blazers have won 9 of their past 11 games SU, and are only a half game behind Oklahoma City for the 6th spot in the West. Portland is 46-29 SU and 41-32-2 ATS overall this season. The Blazers are 21-16 SU and 23-12-2 in road games this seasons. Portland is 15-12 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Portland continues to win with defense, as they've held 6 of their past 7 opponents under 100 PTS. The Blazers enter tonight with revenge on their minds, as they've already lost twice SU to Denver this season. The Blazers are 5th in the NBA in points allowed this season, only giving up 94.8 PPG this season. G Brandon Roy leads 3 current Blazers players averaging double figures in PTS this season, averaging 22.1 PPG. F LaMarcus Aldridge averages 17.5 PPG and a team high 8.1 RPG this season for Portland.
Portland is 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games against the Western Conference. The under is 6-1 in the Blazers last 7 games against a team with a winning percentage greater than .600%. Portland is relatively healthy since their catastrophic injuries to their centers earlier this season.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 97-95 in favor of the Denver Nuggets. The Under 201.5 is the Total of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
