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2024-25 Denver Nuggets Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals

by Spencer Toth - 9/27/2024

Denver Nuggets predictions Jamal Murray

The Denver Nuggets were unable to repeat as champions after their 2022-23 NBA title, but they are poised to have another big season this year. Nikola Jokic is the undisputed best player in the league, ensuring the Nuggets are near the top of the betting odds every season. Can the Nuggets make another run to the NBA Finals, or will they fall short for the second year in a row?

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Denver Nuggets Offseason Recap

The Nuggets had an eventful offseason, and it will be fascinating to see how it affects their playstyle. The biggest acquisition for Denver was the signing of Russell Westbrook in free agency. Westbrook is a 9-time All-Star and was the 2016-17 NBA MVP. His production on the offensive end has been ticking downwards in recent seasons, but Denver will be confident they can get the most out of the future Hall of Famer. Westbrook was reduced to a bench role on the Clippers last season and will be the Nuggets sixth man this year, too. A starting roster spot over Christian Braun isn’t out of the question, but Westbrook will have to make an impact off the bench first. 

The Nuggets also re-signed Jamal Murray to a 4-year, $208 million dollar deal. This makes him the 15th highest paid player next season. Murray was crucial to the Nuggets 2023 Championship and will need to make a positive impact if they are to reach the NBA summit once again. 

The offseason didn’t come without losses, too, as the Nuggets lost a pair of key players over the summer. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson were both critical parts of this Nuggets team, but both will be playing elsewhere this season. Caldwell-Pope had the second best 3-point percentage at 41%, while Jackson was a key part of the Nuggets second unit on both ends of the court. The development of Braun will help mitigate this loss, but it still feels like the Nuggets are a little bit thin in the backcourt. 

Denver Nuggets Season Expectations

The Nuggets have a fully healthy three-time MVP Jokic on their team, so the expectation will be a championship. Denver proved that when they are healthy, Jokic is certainly capable of leading them to the Promise land. Jokic led the team in PPG (26.4), Rebounds (12.4), Assists, (9.0), and even Steals (1.4) last season. His offensive impact often clouds the defensive impact he makes, as Jokic is an irreplaceable asset on both ends of the court. The Serbian native can make behind the back no-look passes like no one else in the league can. He is always looking for an open teammate, but also isn’t afraid to pull up from deep, attempting 2.9 triples per game last season. 

The Nuggets will live or die based on Jokic’s performance, but they still need help from their supporting cast. Jamal Murray made an instant impact during the Nuggets championship run in 2023, shaking off a season-long knee injury the year before. It appears he is back on his A-game just as the 26-year-old hits the prime of his career. Murray and Westbrook are more than comfortable handling the basketball, which allows Jokic to get involved in a lethal screen-and-roll game. The Nuggets will be happy with nothing short of a championship, and Jokic has already proven he is more than capable of delivering one. 

Denver Nuggets Schedule Breakdown

The Nuggets open up the season with a tantalizing matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 24th. This is the first of 7 home games in their first 10 matchups, which should allow the Nuggets to settle into the new season nicely. Their longest road trip is five games in late January, which features three nationally televised broadcasts against the Timberwolves, Knicks, and 76ers. Just as they started the year, the Nuggets had the benefit of 7 of their final 10 games taking place at the homey Ball Arena in Denver. 

Denver Nuggets Odds

The Nuggets are a lock to make the postseason, with -1000 odds to do so. However, their aspirations are much higher, as they enter the season with the 4th highest title odds at +850. Denver is a legitimate title contender and is expected to once again challenge for the top spot in the West. The Western Conference is full of star-studded, well-rounded NBA teams, so playoff seeding will have a huge impact on a possible postseason run. The Nuggets have a win total of 51.5 wins and are +400 to finish with the top seed in the West. They’ve eclipsed the 51.5 win total in back-to-back seasons after not doing so in the three prior. A total of 51.5 wins is a significant dropoff from their 57-win campaign last year. However, considering the valuable starters they lost in the offseason, this drop off is expected. 

In the NBA Cup, Denver is in a very difficult group. They are sandwiched between the Mavericks, Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Warriors in Group C, and will need to be nearly perfect if they hope to advance to the knockout stages. Due to their challenging group, the Nuggets have whooping +1600 odds to win the NBA Cup. If they can advance out of the group stage, these odds will get dramatically slashed. 

2024-25 Denver Nuggets Season Predictions

There is no doubt the Nuggets will be playing meaningful basketball late in the season. However, is there value on them at the current odds? Denver will quickly learn how big an impact Caldwell-Pope and Jackson’s departures will have, and it’s hard to see them finishing with 50+ wins this year. Jokic has been remarkably healthy. And if their Serbian superstar goes down, their record will too. At 51.5 wins, the Under looks to be a good pick, as Denver finishes in the range of 47-35. 

The most exciting betting prospect is in the NBA Cup. There isn’t too much value on the Nuggets to win Group C at +140 odds, but the +1600 NBA Cup odds are mouthwatering. The Nuggets are bursting with upside, as once they advance to the knockout stages, this price will quickly drop into the +400 to +500 range. I certainly believe the Nuggets have a solid chance of advancing, making this +1600 price tag one that will not be here for long. 

Pick: Denver Nuggets Under 51.5 Wins

Top Pick: Denver Nuggets to Win the NBA Cup +1600

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