San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets NBA Picks & Predictions 2/23/2018

Friday, February 23, 2018

Pepsi Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The San Antonio Spurs head to Pepsi Center to take on the Denver Nuggets on Friday, February 23, 2018. The opening line for this game has Denver as 3.5 point favorites.

The Spurs head into this matchup with a mark of 35-24. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.1 as they are averaging 101.6 points per contest while giving up 98.5 per game. The Nuggets have an overall mark of 32-26. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.9 points per contest and giving up 106.8, which is a point differential of 1.1.

Valuable San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs are 30-27-2 against the spread

The San Antonio Spurs are 27-32-0 against the over/under

Important Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 28-27-3 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 27-31-0 against the over/under

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

02/21/18 F Rudy Gay Heel is upgraded to probable Friday vs Denver
02/20/18 G Manu Ginobili Foot left last game, is upgraded to probable Friday vs Denver
02/19/18 F LaMarcus Aldridge Knee is probable Friday vs Denver
01/17/18 SF Kawhi Leonard Quad is out indefinitely

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

11/21/17 F Paul Millsap Wrist is out indefinitely
02/21/18 C Mason Plumlee Calf is upgraded to probable Friday vs San Antonio

Player Spotlight

Pau Gasol comes into this game averaging 10.7 points per contest while playing 24.8 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 8.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 78%. LaMarcus Aldridge averages 22.4 points per contest in 33.9 minutes per game this year. He averages 2 assists per game and 8.4 rebounds per contest for San Antonio. His field goal percentage is 50% for the season while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic has scored 16.9 points per contest while playing 31.5 minutes per game this season for the Nuggets. He hauls in 10.6 rebounds per contest and has 5.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Gary Harris averages 17.5 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 34.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 2.7 rebounds per game and 3.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

San Antonio averages 101.6 points per contest this year, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.08 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 16th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They average 44.4 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 22nd with 13.7 per game. The Spurs allow 98.5 points per contest which is 1st in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 6th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42 rebounds a game which ranks 8th, and they allow 21.1 assists per game which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 8th in the NBA with 107.9 points per contest this season. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.03. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 11th in the league. They are 8th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.4 boards per contest and 4th in assists per game with 24.3. The Nuggets are 9th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Nuggets give up 106.8 points per game, which ranks them 19th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 30th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 24.4 dimes allowed per game and 1st with 40.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Nuggets are 13th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Spurs are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.4, and their defensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 94.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. San Antonio is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 26th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 11th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA. The Nuggets are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 109.9, and their offensive rating of 111 is ranked 9th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 7th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Denver -3.5

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