Playoff basketball is finally returning to Mile High City, as the Denver Nuggets (+6,000 to win the NBA title) are set to play their first postseason game since 2013. The San Antonio Spurs (+25,000), meanwhile, haven’t missed the playoffs in over 20 years. Who will take Game 1 of the series? Read on for more about this important Round 1 game.
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Betting Preview for the San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Playoff Round 1 Game on April 13, 2019
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver
When: Saturday, April 13, 2019, 10:30 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (odds) vs. Denver Nuggets (odds) –view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (48-34)
The Spurs are riding a wave of momentum to the playoffs, as they closed out the regular season on a three-game winning streak, beating the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks over that span, though, none of those teams have made it to the postseason. Although the Spurs are the underdogs in this series matchup, they have the advantage in terms of playoff experiences from both the players’ and coaches’ perspective. San Antonio is led by the pair of LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, who are both battle-tested in the playoffs. San Antonio has won two meetings in the regular season with the Nuggets, so Denver can’t fully be complacent about their chances. Aside from DeRozan’s scoring, the Spurs need their frontline to elevate its play. That means Jakob Poeltl will have to double his effort in containing and matching up with Denver’s bigger frontcourt, while preserving some energy for Aldridge. Aldridge averaged 22.3 points against Denver in the regular season, while DeRozan chipped in 20.0.
San Antonio is 2-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last three games.
Betting on the Denver Nuggets (54-28)
Denver managed to end its regular season on a positive note, as the Nuggets stopped a two-game losing skid by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves at home last Wednesday, 99-95. The biggest factor for Denver is obviously Nikola Jokic – literally and figuratively. The Serbian mammoth can do almost anything on the court, and he’ll be a nightmare for the Spurs’ shallow frontline that doesn’t have much talent beyond Aldridge. Denver, on the other hand, has the likes of Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee, who can give quality minutes when Jokic is either resting on the bench or is taking a time out as the team’s top primary scoring option while still on the floor. Even in the backcourt, the Nuggets have a glaring advantage in terms of depth. Jamal Murray is always going to be a threat, but the Nuggets don’t lose much in talent if the former Kentucky Wildcats guard takes to the bench, with Monte Morris and Malik Beasley very much capable of being effective backups. That’s not to mention the presence of Isaiah Thomas, who can still light it up.
Denver is 3-2 ATS in its last five games.
Writer’s Prediction
Denver wins, 118-114.
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