PREMIUM
3-Game NBA SWEEPER PASS
(NBA) Washington vs. Denver,
Point Spread: -2.00 | -107.00 Denver (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -2.00 | -107.00 Denver (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 38-24 Washington Wizards continue their current five-game road trip tonight in Denver, after escaping with a 131-127 win last night in Phoenix, in the first game of the trip. The Nuggets beat the Kings on Monday but Nikola Jokic, who has emerged as a star in his second NBA season, missed Monday's win with an illness (he's listed as questionable here).
Washington: The Wizards were the NBA's hottest team entering the All Star break, winning 18 of 21 prior to the break. Washington lost its first two games coming out of the break but after last night's win, has gone 4-1 since. The Wizards own a starting-five in which all players average in double digits. Guards Beal (22.9) and Wall (22.6-4.6-10.8) lead the way, while forwards Morris (14.5 & 6.6) and Porter (13.9& 6.6) nicely complement center Gortat (11.6 & 11.0). However, reserve scoring was a major issue and Washington addressed that in acquiring Brooklyn's Bojan Bogdanovic, who was the leading scorer at the Rio Olympics. Bogdanovic exploded for 15 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 115-114 win over the Magic and last night, matched his season high of 29 points. Bogdanovic has averaged 17.4 PPG since joining the Wizards. "I'm always happy to have another guy who can help us," John Wall said after the win over the Suns. "One thing Boogey does is he cuts to the basket and puts the ball on the floor. It gives us another weapon who can create for us, and that's big for us. He's coming in playing his role, being aggressive and making a lot of shots."
Denver: Jokic posted four consecutive double-doubles — two were triple-doubles — prior to being sidelined by the illness. He made 13-of-15 shoots in a 31-point effort in Saturday's 112-102 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The 22-year-old is averaging 15.9 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 58.3 percent from the floor on the season. Wilson Chandler () stepped up with Jokic sidelined in Monday's win, scoring a career-best 36 points, while knocking down five three-pointers. Swingman Danilo Gallinari (17.7 PPG makes him the team-leader) had 18 points, falling just short of his sixth straight 20-point outing and is averaging 21.3 points during the stretch.
The pick: The Wizards are 22-6 over their last 28 games but this marks the second game (in a back-to-back situation) of a five-game road trip, one of two tough five-game trips in March. The Nuggets are playing for their playoff 'lives' (own the 8th spot but have a modest 1 1/2 game lead) and have won 10 of their past 13 home contests against the Wizards. Make Denver an 8* play.
Washington: The Wizards were the NBA's hottest team entering the All Star break, winning 18 of 21 prior to the break. Washington lost its first two games coming out of the break but after last night's win, has gone 4-1 since. The Wizards own a starting-five in which all players average in double digits. Guards Beal (22.9) and Wall (22.6-4.6-10.8) lead the way, while forwards Morris (14.5 & 6.6) and Porter (13.9& 6.6) nicely complement center Gortat (11.6 & 11.0). However, reserve scoring was a major issue and Washington addressed that in acquiring Brooklyn's Bojan Bogdanovic, who was the leading scorer at the Rio Olympics. Bogdanovic exploded for 15 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 115-114 win over the Magic and last night, matched his season high of 29 points. Bogdanovic has averaged 17.4 PPG since joining the Wizards. "I'm always happy to have another guy who can help us," John Wall said after the win over the Suns. "One thing Boogey does is he cuts to the basket and puts the ball on the floor. It gives us another weapon who can create for us, and that's big for us. He's coming in playing his role, being aggressive and making a lot of shots."
Denver: Jokic posted four consecutive double-doubles — two were triple-doubles — prior to being sidelined by the illness. He made 13-of-15 shoots in a 31-point effort in Saturday's 112-102 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The 22-year-old is averaging 15.9 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 58.3 percent from the floor on the season. Wilson Chandler () stepped up with Jokic sidelined in Monday's win, scoring a career-best 36 points, while knocking down five three-pointers. Swingman Danilo Gallinari (17.7 PPG makes him the team-leader) had 18 points, falling just short of his sixth straight 20-point outing and is averaging 21.3 points during the stretch.
The pick: The Wizards are 22-6 over their last 28 games but this marks the second game (in a back-to-back situation) of a five-game road trip, one of two tough five-game trips in March. The Nuggets are playing for their playoff 'lives' (own the 8th spot but have a modest 1 1/2 game lead) and have won 10 of their past 13 home contests against the Wizards. Make Denver an 8* play.
