The Portland Trail Blazers (50-28), 6-point underdogs, will be at the Pepsi Center to challenge the Denver Nuggets (52-26) in a Northwest Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216 points and it can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 5, 2019.
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets Betting Odds
Both teams comfortably covered as favorites in their last matchup. The Nuggets (5-point favorites) defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-85, while the Trail Blazers (9.5-point favorites) beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-89. The Denver game finished 16.5 points under the projected point total of 214.5, while the Portland game finished 12 points under the projected point total of 217.
Portland played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 26.2) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.564 (above their season average of 0.527). For those same stats, Memphis was 9.1 and 0.456, respectively. Meanwhile, Denver’s 0.609 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over San Antonio, who had a mark of 0.414. The Nuggets’ mark was above their season average of 0.526, while the Spurs’ was below their season average of 0.535. Nikola Jokic played well for Denver, contributing 20 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Meanwhile, Evan Turner led the way for Portland with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists to register his first triple-double of the season.
The Nuggets have won both contests against the Trail Blazers this year. In their most recent game, the two teams combined to score 229 points, which was over the projected point total of 216.5. Denver won 116-113 but was unable to cover as a 5-point favorite. Denver had a better effective field goal percentage (0.611 vs. 0.523). Portland, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (20.5 vs. 11.4). Jokic recorded a double-double with 40 points and 10 rebounds.
Of the Trail Blazers’ 78 games, 40 have finished over the total. Portland heads into the contest with records of 50-28 straight up (SU) and 44-34 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Nuggets’ 78 games, 46 have finished under the total. Additionally, Denver owns records of 52-26 SU and 40-38 ATS.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Trail Blazers average 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 16th in the league. The Nuggets rank 17th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
- Denver ranks second in assists per game (27.5) while Portland ranks 22nd (23.1).
- The Nuggets rank fourth in points in the paint per game (52.4) while the Trail Blazers rank 14th (49.2).
- Denver ranks 18th in points off turnovers per game (15.8) while Portland ranks 26th (14.9).
- Denver ranks 15th in fast break points per game (12.6) while Portland ranks 17th in fast break points allowed per game (13.9).
- The Nuggets average 15.7 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. The Trail Blazers rank 18th in second chance points allowed per game (13.6).
- The Trail Blazers rank second in rebounds per game (48.1) while the Nuggets rank sixth (46.7).
- Portland ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (29.6) while Denver ranks 15th (32.1).
- Portland is 14-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Denver is 24-2.
- In games where they score over 100 points, the Nuggets are 49-18 and the Trail Blazers are 48-22.
- Denver is 24-15 ATS at home, while Portland is 21-18 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 21 of the Nuggets’ 39 home games, while 20 of the Trail Blazers’ 39 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Nuggets are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Portland has 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push, while Denver has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 114.8 points per game (0.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (9.0 below their season average).
- The Nuggets have been outscored by an average of 1.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Denver has defeated opponents by an average of 4.2 points.