Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview
Where: Moda Center — Portland, Oregon
When: Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Denver Nuggets (+2) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (-2); total: 226.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ALT / CSNW
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Betting on the Denver Nuggets (35-38)
Point Spread: +2
The Nuggets are coming off one of their ugliest games of the season: a 115-90 home loss to New Orleans on Sunday. Their offense struggled against a solid defensive effort from the Pelicans, converting just 37.9 percent of its field goal attempts, including 24.0 percent from deep.
The results were just as bad in the rebounding department, as Mike Malone and co. were outhustled, 59-49. Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 16.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists since the All-Star break, did grab 13 boards, but he was held to eight points on 4-of-14 shooting in less than 20 minutes of play.
A better outing from Jokic is needed for the Nuggets to get back on track in tonight’s regular-season finale with Portland, a team that they’re currently tied with for the final playoff seed in the west. The Blazers have won two of the first three meetings (1-2 ATS) this season.
Denver, though, won the most recent meeting last December behind a 27-point effort from Danilo Gallinari, who was one of eight double-digit scorers for the Nuggets in that game. And yes, this team is truly dangerous—and sometimes unbeatable—when their potent offense gets it going.
Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (35-38)
Point Spread: -2
You could say that Portland’s the hottest team this March, where it boasts an 11-3 win-loss record. Damian Lillard’s been nothing short of phenomenal in that stretch, averaging 29.6 points and 5.6 assists. He’s also put up 20 or more points in all but one game this month.
As always, his partner in crime—C.J. McCollum—continues to back him up with solid numbers of his own. Last year’s Most Improved Player is posting 20.8 points over his last five games, including a 32-point performance in a 112-100 win versus Minnesota.
Against the Nuggets this season, Lillard and McCollum are racking up 58.6 points combined—with exactly 36.3 of which have all come from the former.
The Blazers have won their last three games (3-0 ATS), and have split their previous 10 games at home (4-6 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
Portland (-2) wins and covers.
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