Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs NBA Picks & Predictions 10/8/2017

Sunday, October 8, 2017

AT&T Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to AT&T Center to play the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, October 8, 2017.

The Nuggets head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 40-42. They were 4th in the Northwest Division. They had a point differential of 0.5 as they averaged 111.7 points per contest while giving up 111.2 per game. The Spurs had an overall mark of 61-21 last year. They were 1st in the Southwest Division. They averaged 105.3 points per contest and gave up 98.1, which was a point differential of 7.2.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets were 46-35-1 against the spread last season

The Denver Nuggets were 50-31-1 against the over/under last year

Important San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs were 42-39-1 against the spread last season

The San Antonio Spurs were 43-37-2 against the over/under last year

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

10/5/2017 Darrell Arthur F Knee Questionable for start of season
10/4/2017 Wilson Chandler F Hip Questionable for start of season
10/4/2017 Gary Harris G Shoulder Questionable for start of season
10/4/2017 Nikola Jokic C Elbow Questionable for start of season
10/3/2017 Paul Millsap F Rest Questionable for start of season

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

10/3/2017 Tony Parker G Quadriceps Expected to be out until at least Dec 12
9/30/2017 Kawhi Leonard F Quadriceps Questionable for start of season

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris comes into this contest after averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 3.1 rebounds per game and dished out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 50% while his free throw percentage finished at 78%. Nikola Jokic averaged 16.7 points per game in 27.9 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 4.9 assists per contest and 9.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 58% for the year while his free throw percentage was 83%.

Player Spotlight

Kawhi Leonard averaged 25.5 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 5.8 rebounds per game and had 3.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 49% and his free throw percentage was at 88%. LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 17.3 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 32.4 minutes per contest. He also averaged 7.3 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 48% and his free throw percentage was 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averaged 111.7 points per contest last season, which ranked them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 0.51 and their shooting percentage was 47% as a team, which had them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shot 37% which was good for 11th in the league. They averaged 46.4 rebounds per game and 25.3 assists per game, which ranked them 2nd and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 7th with 15 per game. The Nuggets allowed 111.2 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 27th in the league. They also allowed a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 40.8 rebounds a game which ranked 4th and they gave up 24 assists per contest, which put them in 25th place in the league. They forced 12 turnovers per game which ranked them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

San Antonio was 14th in the league with 105.3 points per game last year. They were 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin was 7.2. They shot 39% from 3-point range, which was good for 1st in the NBA. They were 11th in the league in rebounding with 43.9 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 23.8. The Spurs were 21st in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Spurs surrendered 98.1 points per contest, which ranked them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 5th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 7th with 21.4 assists allowed per contest and 5th with 41.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spurs were 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets were 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.2, and their defensive rating of 112.7 was ranked 2nd last season. In terms of pace they were 7th in the league with 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% was 5th. As a team they were 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3 pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league. Denver was 8th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 53%, which was 3rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

San Antonio was 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 49%, which was 29th in the league. The Spurs were 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.1, and their defensive rating of 103.5 was ranked 30th. In terms of pace they were 27th in the league with 94.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% was 10th. As a team they were 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shot 3-pointers on 28% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Spurs NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take San Antonio

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