PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Sunday SLAM DUNK >> 8-2 L10 NBA (Boston Saturday)
(NBA) Denver vs. Portland,
11/13/2016 4:00 PM, Score: 105 - 112
Point Spread: 6.00 | -105.00 Denver (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 6.00 | -105.00 Denver (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Portland Trail Blazers have won four of five to up their record to 6-4 and will host the 3-6 Denver Nuggets tonight at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers have earned their last five wins by a combined total of just 23 points and have played three overtime games this season, despite being among the league leaders in scoring at 108.4 per contest. "I think we play well in spots," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "Our challenge is to play well for longer periods." Denver's leading scorer is Will Barton (18.0) but he's likely to miss his seventh straight game (ankle), as the Nuggets play their only road contest in a seven-game stretch tonight.
Denver: The Nuggets have five player besides Barton averaging in double digits, plus forwards Jokic (9.4 & 5.9) and Faried (7.4 & 8.9) and guard Nelson (8.2) also make their presence felt. Guard Emmanuel Mudiay (16.4 PPG) has raised his level of play over the last four games, averaging 20.5 points, while Danilo Gallinari (16.6 PPG) has scored in double figures in every game. The Nuggets continue to have trouble taking care of the ball. They rank last in the league, averaging 18 turnovers per game after totaling 15 in a 106-95 home loss to Detroit last night. "We cannot continue to turn the ball over 18, 19 times a game if we want to give ourselves a chance to win," Denver coach Mike Malone told reporters.
Portland: The Trail Blazers are led by the dynamic guard duo of Lillard (30.6-4.7-4.5) and McCollum (22.2) but Harkless (11.2) is the only other regular averaging double digits (Layman has played in just three games, averaging 10.3 PPG). Portland has scored at least 100 points in nine of its 10 games and the Blazers need to continue to do just that, as they rank 28th in the league in allowing 111.7 PPG.
The pick: The Trail Blazers have won four straight and 12 of their last 13 games against the Nuggets but Portland is 1-4 ATS at home to open the current season, mainly because it is allowing 117.2 PPG on its home court! Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in five road games this year, so I'm taking the points. Make Denver a 10* play.
Denver: The Nuggets have five player besides Barton averaging in double digits, plus forwards Jokic (9.4 & 5.9) and Faried (7.4 & 8.9) and guard Nelson (8.2) also make their presence felt. Guard Emmanuel Mudiay (16.4 PPG) has raised his level of play over the last four games, averaging 20.5 points, while Danilo Gallinari (16.6 PPG) has scored in double figures in every game. The Nuggets continue to have trouble taking care of the ball. They rank last in the league, averaging 18 turnovers per game after totaling 15 in a 106-95 home loss to Detroit last night. "We cannot continue to turn the ball over 18, 19 times a game if we want to give ourselves a chance to win," Denver coach Mike Malone told reporters.
Portland: The Trail Blazers are led by the dynamic guard duo of Lillard (30.6-4.7-4.5) and McCollum (22.2) but Harkless (11.2) is the only other regular averaging double digits (Layman has played in just three games, averaging 10.3 PPG). Portland has scored at least 100 points in nine of its 10 games and the Blazers need to continue to do just that, as they rank 28th in the league in allowing 111.7 PPG.
The pick: The Trail Blazers have won four straight and 12 of their last 13 games against the Nuggets but Portland is 1-4 ATS at home to open the current season, mainly because it is allowing 117.2 PPG on its home court! Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in five road games this year, so I'm taking the points. Make Denver a 10* play.
