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Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets December 19th 2024
At 10:00 ET, the Portland Trail Blazers (8-18) will host the Denver Nuggets (14-10) in a Northwest Division matchup. The Nuggets (-395) are favored by 9 points over the Blazers (+309) and the over/under line is 233.5.
Denver is currently on a 3-game win streak and is 5th in the Western Conference. Portland has lost 6 straight and is 13th in the West.
Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers
- Where: Portland at Moda Center
- Date: Thursday, December 19th
- Betting Odds DEN -9, DEN -395 | POR +309 O/U 233.5
The Nuggets Can Win If…
The Nuggets improved to 14-10 on the season with a 130-129 win over the Kings on Monday. Denver, who entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs, not only got the win but also covered the spread. The total points for the game ended up at 259, surpassing the O/U line of 237.5 by 21.5 points.
Denver jumped out to a 41-21 lead after the 1st quarter, thanks in part to a 13-0 run that took the score from 14-6 to 19-14. However, the Kings stormed back, outscoring the Nuggets 82-55 over the next two quarters. Denver entered the 4th quarter down 103-96 but rallied by outscoring Sacramento 34-26 in the final period to secure the win.
Jamal Murray’s 28 points and 6 assists led the Nuggets to a 130-129 win over the Kings, with Murray hitting 4 threes at a 50% rate. Aaron Gordon added 24 points, shooting 64.3% from the field, while Nikola Jokic contributed a triple-double with 20 points, 13 assists, and 14 rebounds.
Denver shot 50% from the field and made 10 threes at a 35.7% rate. Murray scored 15 points in the 4th quarter, while Gordon added 14 in the 1st.
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Despite a tough 2nd quarter where the Nuggets gave up 47 points, they managed to hold the Kings to 26 points in the 4th, helping them secure a 130-129 win. Denver allowed Sacramento to shoot 48% from the field.
The Nuggets limited the Kings to 12 made threes on 34% shooting from beyond the arc. Denver sent Sacramento to the line 20 times, where they hit 19 free throws. Defensively, the Nuggets recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.
- Although Denver has a straight up record of 2-3 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 124 points per game in these games.
- The last ten games that Denver was favored, they have an ATS mark of 3-6-1 while going 5-5 straight up.
- Over their last five games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Trail Blazers Can Win If…
Portland’s season record fell to 8-18 after a 116-109 road loss to the Suns on Sunday. The Trail Blazers entered the game as +11 point underdogs but managed to keep it closer than expected. The combined score of 225 points fell short of the 230.5-point total set by oddsmakers.
Portland’s 10-0 run early in the game gave them a 47-27 lead, but Phoenix responded by outscoring the Blazers 33-21 in the 1st quarter. Portland battled back, winning the 2nd quarter 30-24 and the 3rd quarter 28-26, but the Suns edged them out 33-30 in the final period.
The Trail Blazers connected on 15 three-pointers in their loss to the Suns, though they shot just 30.6% from beyond the arc. Overall, they hit 44.7% of their field goals.
Anfernee Simons led the way with 20 points, scoring 10 in the 4th quarter. Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant each added 17 points, with Avdija scoring 8 in the 3rd quarter.
Defensively, the Trail Blazers had a strong 2nd and 3rd quarter but struggled in the 1st and 4th, allowing 33 points in both, leading to a 116-109 loss to the Suns. Portland gave up 15 threes on 38% shooting from deep.
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Portland sent Phoenix to the line 19 times, where the Suns hit 15 free throws. The Trail Blazers recorded 36 defensive rebounds but allowed 12 offensive boards, while also tallying 6 steals and 4 blocks.
- When looking at their past five home matchups, Portland has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 104 per game. The team went 0-5 overall in these games.
- Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Portland has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 2-8 straight up.
- In their last three games, the Trail Blazers have an over/under record of 3-0 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +9, the Trail Blazers is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 233.5 and our model has the Nuggets and Trail Blazers finishing with a combined 280 points. Our pick is to take the over.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets Look to Extend Streak Against Skidding Blazers
The Denver Nuggets head to Portland on Thursday riding a three-game winning streak, fueled by Jamal Murray’s resurgence and Nikola Jokic’s MVP-caliber play. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are struggling, hoping to snap a six-game skid against one of the league’s top teams.
Nuggets: Murray Finding His Groove
While Nikola Jokic continues to dominate with his all-around brilliance, the Nuggets have been waiting for Jamal Murray to rediscover his rhythm. Monday’s thrilling 130-129 victory over the Sacramento Kings might have been the turning point.
Murray scored a season-high-tying 28 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, as Denver overcame a 10-point deficit in the final minutes. His clutch performance was capped by a game-winning jumper with just 8.6 seconds left.
Head coach Michael Malone praised Murray’s performance:
“We need Jamal. To have a 15-point fourth quarter in a really important road win, Jamal helped get us off the ropes and lead us to a win. Hopefully, this can be a boost to his confidence and his overall spirit.”
Murray, averaging 18.4 points on 42.5 percent shooting, is working to regain the form that has made him one of the league’s most dynamic guards.
Nikola Jokic, meanwhile, recorded his NBA-leading 10th triple-double of the season against Sacramento, finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. His consistent dominance remains the cornerstone of Denver’s success.
With Christian Braun (lower back spasms) sidelined, Russell Westbrook stepped up in the starting lineup, nearly notching his own triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
Blazers: Struggling to Find Answers
The Trail Blazers (7-19) have been in a freefall, losing six straight, including a 116-109 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued Portland, forcing them to adapt on the fly.
Deandre Ayton, who missed the Phoenix game due to illness, is listed as day-to-day. His absence left the Blazers shorthanded in the frontcourt, with rookie Donovan Clingan and reserve Deni Avdija stepping into expanded roles.
Deni Avdija impressed despite the challenging circumstances, posting 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench and even spending time at center. Head coach Chauncey Billups lauded Avdija’s versatility:
“He plays with a lot of force and power. He’s probably the best on our team at getting to the paint. I have to use him in a lot of different areas. He’s reliable, I trust him, and he’s done a really good job of settling in here.”
The Blazers will need all hands on deck to slow down Jokic, who poses one of the toughest matchups in the league.
Key Matchups
Jamal Murray vs. Portland’s Backcourt
If Murray carries his momentum into this game, Portland’s guards will need to step up defensively to contain him. Murray’s scoring and playmaking in the pick-and-roll with Jokic could prove devastating.
Nikola Jokic vs. Blazers’ Frontcourt
Jokic’s ability to dominate in the paint, distribute the ball, and score from anywhere will test the Blazers’ defensive discipline. Whether Ayton returns or not, the Blazers will face a tall task in slowing down the reigning MVP.
Deni Avdija’s Versatility
Avdija’s ability to play multiple positions and attack the paint will be crucial for Portland, especially if Ayton remains out. His adaptability could help create mismatches against Denver’s defense.
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What’s at Stake
For the Nuggets, a win would extend their streak to four games and further solidify their position in the Western Conference standings. With Murray returning to form, Denver looks poised to make a strong push as the season progresses.
For the Blazers, a victory would end their skid and provide a morale boost for a team battling injuries and inconsistencies. Facing a contender like Denver presents an opportunity to make a statement.
The Bottom Line
The Nuggets, with Jokic and a resurgent Murray, are heavy favorites against a Blazers team still searching for answers. However, Portland’s resilience and Avdija’s emergence add intrigue to this matchup.
Can Denver continue its winning ways and build on Murray’s breakout performance, or will the Blazers rise to the occasion and pull off an upset? Thursday’s game promises to deliver compelling storylines on both sides of the court.
