Welcome to the fifth episode of Betting Nuggets, a weekly series that offers expert predictions and advice on the lines and props used by the Denver Colts. Make PlayinСolorado your ultimate source for all the latest information on the Nuggets.
Finding their hole, nuggets
The Denver Nuggets cannot be denied as a weak group. Despite some recent improvement in their bench play, it remains inconsistent, and their three-point shooting has remained stagnant. However, the Nuggets have managed to turn things around during their four-game home stretch.
Denver has achieved a five-game winning streak, triumphing over the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and Houston Rockets. Throughout these victories, certain common factors emerged, clearly indicating the reasons behind their elevated performance.
Nikola Jokic currently occupies a unique amount.
Nikola Jokic is dominating the Nuggets’ defensive efforts and leaving no room for opposition. In his recent five games, Jokic has averaged an impressive 27.6 points, 14.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, all while shooting over 60%. A significant portion of his shots come from two-point attempts, showcasing his exceptional skills and solidifying his position as the best defender in his sports career. Surprisingly, Jokic is having an even more exceptional season compared to his previous MVP-winning campaign. However, we will delve into that in more detail later.
The defense of the Denver team has been exceptional all season long, consistently preventing their rivals from scoring over 100 points. This has greatly contributed to Denver’s 4-2 record against the spread in their six games. The Nuggets have been extremely careful in limiting their opponents’ scoring opportunities by avoiding turnovers and controlling property. Despite playing at a slower pace compared to other teams in the league, the Nuggets have capitalized on their strong defense to maintain control over the game’s speed during their four-game winning streak.
By combining these two trends with Denver’s enhanced decision-making skills, which have resulted in the lowest turnover percentage in the NBA over the past four games and an average of only 9.8 turnovers per contest, Denver has achieved a sense of stability. This newfound stability has made them a more reliable choice for those betting on the Nuggets. Denver’s strong defensive play and deliberate pace have led them to a record of 2-11 in hitting the over this year. Consequently, they offer value to bettors who are interested in placing money on the Nuggets moneyline, particularly when playing at home, where they have a stellar 6-1 record this season.
76ers vs. Nugget
The key concern revolves around the availability of players for each group in the Philadelphia 76ers vs. NBA game. A crucial question arises: Will Michael Porter Jr.’s lower back pain dissipate in time for him to be removed from the injury report? Additionally, it is imperative to determine which members of the 76ers will be accessible after adhering to health and safety protocols following their encounter with COVID-19 exposure. These matters hold significant importance.
However, it has become almost guaranteed that Jokic will shine whenever the Nuggets and 76ers clash in the past three years. These two teams have faced off multiple times throughout the last three centuries, resulting in Jokic’s victory in six games. In those six matches, his performance has been outstanding, with an average close to a triple-double and a shooting percentage of 53.5% from the field. During these encounters with the 76ers, Jokic has contributed an average of 22.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and nine assists, ultimately helping the Nuggets secure a 4-2 record against their opponents.
Regardless of whether Joel Embiid plays or not, Jokic is expected to dominate. This gives NBA bettors an advantage when considering player props for Jokic. Betting on Jokic to exceed his points and assists is a wise choice given his impressive track record.
Prospects for NBA MVPs in a fight?
If Embiid manages to make a comeback on the court following his battle with COVID-19, it will set the stage for an exciting clash between two MVP contenders. Currently, both Embiid and Jokic are strong contenders for the MVP title, which adds significance to this individual battle. Voters may be swayed by impressive performances that can justify their choice at the end of the season. Moreover, Jokic’s odds to win MVP have significantly improved, going from +1500 to +1100 over the weekend, making it a great value bet. Not only is Jokic putting up numbers similar to his MVP season last year, but he has also shown improvements in terms of his defensive impact. The Nuggets’ defensive rating drastically drops from 108.6 to an impressive 94.9 when Jokic is on the court, highlighting his statistical influence on Denver’s defense. This is particularly noteworthy considering the Nuggets currently have the second-best defensive rating in the NBA, with Jokic playing a crucial role as their anchor.
Every day, Jokic’s MVP case continues to strengthen and improve.
Bulls vs. Nuggets
The Chicago Bulls have emerged as one of the surprising teams in the NBA season’s early stages. With a solid fifth-place ranking in the league and a record of 8-4 in their first 12 games, they have exceeded expectations. DeMar DeRozan has been a key contributor, consistently scoring over 25 points per game and showcasing his defensive skills in the paint.
What advantages do bettors have then? Opting for betting on the over is the initial choice. It’s worth noting that the Nuggets have only managed to secure victory in 2 out of their 13 games, a fact that has been reiterated numerous times in recent months. Additionally, the Bulls have struggled with three-point attempts per game. Considering the overall deficiency in outside shooting and the Nuggets’ slower pace, the over has a greater likelihood of being successful.
Although the Nuggets have not consistently performed well against the spread, their advantageous factors such as finding rhythm, playing in the Mile High City, and lack of outside shooting from opponents may provide them with a significant edge.
Finally, it is worth noting that Jokic’s points and rebounds will carry immense significance in the upcoming match against the Bulls. The absence of center Nikola Vucevic puts Chicago at a disadvantage, as they have resorted to starting Tony Bradley and bringing Alize Johnson in from the bench. Given these circumstances, it is highly likely that Jokic will dominate the game.
