The defending NBA Champion Denver Nuggets will take to the road on Friday and battle the Portland Trail Blazers. Denver went to the All-Star Break at 36-19 in a battle with Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and the Clippers.
The Nuggets struggled down the stretch of the first half, losing their final three games. The last loss came by 4 at home to the Sacramento Kings.
For the Trail Blazers, they find themselves ahead of just one team in the Western Conference; and that is the Spurs. Portland went to the break at 15-39 on the season. The Trail Blazers lost their final six games before the break, and the most recent was by 37 at home to Minnesota.
The Denver Nuggets are big favorites. The Nuggets are -9 on the road at Portland. The total is 219.
Nuggets Looking to Find Stride
The defending NBA Champions have not seemed to hit their stride completely yet this season. The Nuggets are only 19th in the league in scoring, with 113.9 per game. Denver also has struggled shooting the basketball from downtown, at 36.8% and also their free throws, at 75.6%
Denver does enjoy the success of big man and former MVP Nikola Jokic. He has played in 53 of the 55 games and is scoring 26.1 points per game. Jokic is a triple double on many nights, and is averaging 12 rebounds per game, and dishing out just shy of 9 assists per game. Jamal Murray is doing solid work in the Denver offense too with 20.5 points per game.
The Nuggets will stay on the road SUnday for a game at the Warriors. After that, they will host back to back games to finish February against the Kings and Heat. The Nuggets start March at the Lakers.
Struggles for Trail Blazers
Things are not going well for Portland. The Trail Blazers have not won a game since the end of January. On the 31st, they upset the Milwaukee Bucks. That win came a game after they beat the 76ers. Portland lost both games at home before the break by double figures to Minnesota.
The offense for Portland starts with Anfernee Simons and Jeramy Grant. Simons is at 22.9 points per game, and Grant is up to 21.7. The rebounding, which has been weak most of hte season, is led by Deandre Ayton, with 10.4 per game. Portland ranks 29th in points scored, at 107.9 per game.
The Trail Blazers will remain at home on Sunday to host the Hornets. Next week the Heat come to town before they head out on the road to start March. Portland is at Memphis twice and Minnesota before returning home.
Nuggets Pound Portland
This is not going to be a very competitive basketball game. The Denver Nuggets know they can start their stretch run. March is almost here, which means picking it up to the next level. For Portland, they are going to use the final two months to figure out what is going to work for them next year, and what will not.
The Nuggets go on the road and win this game with ease. Take Denver -9 over Portland on Friday.
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