Tip off: 10:05 PM EST
Spread: POR -5
Total: 202.5
M/L: POR -205, DEN +175
Betting Odds taken from Bookmaker
Denver has been pretty impressive so far, and most of it has been due to the fact they have been relatively unstoppable. Neither Dallas nor Utah could prevent Denver from putting up huge numbers, and the Nuggets are averaging 116 points per game through two games. Tonight should prove to be more challenging against a Portland team that is known for being good defensively.
Marcus Camby anchors a very strong Portland defense, and Wesley Matthews will be patrolling the perimeter and helping to mitigate the presence of Andre Miller, who has been playing a lot of two guard with the explosive Ty Lawson running the point.
Nuggets Betting Trends: Denver is 18-5-2 ATS in their last 25 games and the total has gone UNDER in 11 of their last 16 on the road. The Nuggets are 1-5 SU in their last 6 road games and the Nuggets are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games against the Portland Trailblazers.
Nuggets Statistical Trends: The Nuggets rank 7th in the league in rebounding allowed, allowing only 38.0 boards per game, while also only giving up 96.5 points per game (19th), but leading the NBA in offense with 116.0 points per game, and leading the league in field goal percentage as well (51.5%).
Trail Blazers Betting Trends: Portland is 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 games and they are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games. The Blazers are 14-2 SU in their last 16 at home and are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 at home.
Trail Blazers Statistical Trends: The Blazers rank 4th in the league in points per game with 104.0, while also ranking 6th in defense, allowing only 91.0 per game. They are the 5th best rebounding team in the league with 47 boards per game and are shooting 42.9% from the floor (17th best).
Key Matchups:
LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Nene
One could argue that this matchup features the best player from each team, though Nene receives far less fanfare than the offensively dominant LaMarcus Aldridge. I’m not sure what kind of job Nene can do on Aldridge. Nene played mostly the center spot in his career, until Timofey Mosgov arrived on the scene, and Aldridge seems like he might possess a significant speed advantage over Nene, not to mention the fact that he is about 2 inches taller than Nene. I think Aldridge may give the Brazilian trouble, and that is despite the fact that Nene is a good defender against most players.
Raymond Felton vs. Andre Miller / Ty Lawson
Felton is going to really have his hands full with the constant assualt of Lawson and Miller offensively. Just when I think Miller is slowing down, he proceeds to rip off 4 or 5 consecutive baskets and prove to me that players don’t just fall off over night (maybe Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter did, but I’m digressing), and Miller continues to find a way to get it done. The irony here of course is that Felton is probably as good as Miller and Lawson, but he’s outmanned. Wesley Matthews will likely see a lot of time on Miller, particularly if the Nuggets go small and play both the point guards at once, which they likely will.
