Blazers vs. Nuggets Prediction
After playing in a competitive Game 7 just two days ago, will the Denver Nuggets be ready when they face the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals tonight at 10:30PM ET?
563 Portland Trail Blazers vs. 564 Denver Nuggets
Monday, April 29, 2019
10:30PM ET – Pepsi Center
TV: TNT
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Nuggets are the favorite in Game 1, as they are getting odds of -4 points against the Blazers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 216 points. The public betting for the contest has 58 percent going on the Blazers as the road underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Blazers best the Thunder
Portland is the 3 seed in the West and coming off a 5-game series win over Oklahoma City. The Blazers were 3-2 against the spread in the series and won all three games at home. Portland is now 57-30 on the season, 22-21 on the road, 48-38-1 against the spread and 45-40-2 with the over.
The Blazers are one of the stronger offensive teams in the league, putting up 114.7 points per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from the arc. Defensively, Portland is giving up 110.5 points per game while opponents shoot 45.7 percent from the floor and 35.9 percent from the arc. Damian Lillard is having a tremendous playoff, averaging 33 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while CJ McCollum added 24.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Center Enes Kanter averaged 13.2 points and 10.2 rebounds against OKC, but he is questionable for tonight due to a shoulder injury he suffered in Game 5 against the Thunder.
Nuggets outlast Spurs
Denver is the second seed in the West and the Nuggets had to go seven games with the San Antonio Spurs before picking up a 90-86 win in Game 7 on Saturday. The Nuggets were just 3-4 against the spread in the series. Denver is now 58-31 on the season, 37-8 at home, 45-44 against the spread and 50-38-1 with the under.
The Nuggets have been solid on the defensive end this season, giving up just 106.7 points per game while holding opponents to a league-best 33.9 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, Denver is putting up 110.7 points per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field. Nikola Jokic continued to lead the Nuggets during the playoff series, averaging 23.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. Jamal Murray added 19 points and 4.1 assists per contest against the Spurs.
NBA Betting Trends
Portland
The Blazers are 16-5 against the spread in their last 21 games playing on three days of rest, but just 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games against a team with a winning home record.
Denver
The Nuggets have covered the spread in five straight conference semifinal games and eight of their last 10 at home against a team with a winning road record.
Prediction:
Denver won and covered in three of four meetings with Portland this season, taking both games at home. The injury to Kanter is going to be a big part of this series. With Nurkic already out for Portland, they need Kanter to body up Jokic and try and control the glass. Without him, the Blazers are likely to be in trouble. Denver has been amazing at home this season. Despite the short break, I think the Nuggets will be fine tonight against a Portland team that may be a bit sluggish after a 6-day layoff.
NBA Prediction: Denver Nuggets -4