Denver Nuggets (48-21) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (19-49)
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers 3/23/24 – As the Denver Nuggets prepare to face off against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, the contrast in their seasons is stark. The Nuggets, boasting a strong 48-21 record, are contenders for the top spot in the Western Conference, while the Trail Blazers, at 19-49, are navigating through a rebuilding phase. The game, set to take place at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, promises excitement and is a critical match for fans and bettors alike. Those looking for free NBA picks will find the disparities between the teams’ performances this season a crucial factor in making predictions.
The Denver Nuggets have been a team that you can feel their presence in the league this season, as they constantly show the world their dominance with an average of 114.7 points made per game, which has been helped by their good percentage of 49.6 in making field goals. They have a very coordinated attack, and thus a number of assists on average is 29.2 per game, which proves that the team plays as a whole. Their defense has been effective too as they have 7 steals and averages of 5.5 blocks per match, which shows their capability to spoil all opponents’ plays.
In contrast, the Portland Trail Blazers have not been able to hold their ground as they have been scoring an average of 107.7 points per game, while their shooting rate stands at 44.2 percent. They are not as consistent as we want their 3-point shot and free-throws but they still have their good games. On the other hand, the Blazers do a good job of thieving the ball from their opponents by averaging 7.8 steals and 4.5 blocks per game, despite a substandard performance index so far.
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers 3/23/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Moda Center at the Rose Quarter |
| TV: | ROOT Sports NW |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Nikola Jokic C vs. Anfernee Simons SG
Nikola Jokic has been a phenomenal performer this season for the Nuggets and it has left him one of the best players in the NBA. Meanwhile, he averages 26 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, and his multiple facets game-changing impact makes him a nightmare for their opponents. Both his excellent basketball IQ and versatility mean that Denver can formulate their offense around him, while his somewhat high 2.9 turnovers per game remain worrisome.
Anfernee Simons turned out to be a source of encouragement for the Trail Blazers taking the posts of the team’s big scorer, averaging 23.2 points per game. But not only does he manage to average 3.48 assists per game, his influence is also constrained by the team’s overall performance. The show of Simons against the Denver defense’s three-point shooting will be the pivotal point of his game.
The clash between Jokic and Simons is going to be a nice example of role and matchup difference in styles. Jokic’s all-around game and leadership have the potential to challenge Simons who would then have to use his scoring and playmaking ability to keep the Trail Blazers competitive.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, but based on the teams’ performances and standings, the Nuggets are likely to be favored. Bettors should keep an eye on the spread and moneyline as they are announced, considering the Nuggets’ solid record and the Trail Blazers’ struggles this season.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
The Nuggets prove consistent, a 4-1 result over their last 5 matches. But in the last 5 games, spread performance has been worse than they anticipated and the record is 2-3. Their ATS performance (15-20) clearly indicated away bets with some heedfulness.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Trends
The Trail Blazers win only 1 out of their last 5 games but they are at 2-2, also picking them against the spread. Their success on the road against the spread (18-15), however, provides some reason for optimism, which in case of relying on it, may be a substantial factor for betting on them.
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers 3/23/24 Betting Picks
Dominating over the current Denver Nuggets team that has a better record and a statistical advantage in terms of team performance seems likely. The Trail Blazers do have a winning turf when they cover the spread, especially when they are underdogs, and this might be something for the risk takers who are looking for a ‘get rich quick’ scheme.
The Nuggets might be one of the premium strategy picks, but a spread setting slightly in favor of the Trail Blazers could make them the best cover option. Betting over/under will hinge on the total points line birdged by bookies, and both teams have successful past in the over courses.
Free Pick and Prediction: Denver Nuggets 116, Portland Trail Blazers 10.