Denver Nuggets vs Portland Blazers Expert NBA Picks 10/23/2019

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 1 point favorites.

The Nuggets come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 54-28. They were 1st in the Northwest Division. They had a point differential of 4.0 as they averaged 110.7 points per game while giving up 106.7 per contest. The Blazers had an overall record of 53-29 last season. They were 2nd in the Northwest Division. They averaged 114.7 points per game and surrendered 110.5, good for a point differential of 4.2.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets were 49-47-0 against the spread last season

The Denver Nuggets were 43-52-1 against the over/under last year

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers were 52-44-2 against the spread last season

The Portland Blazers were 51-45-2 against the over/under last year

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

10/19/2019 Pau Gasol PF Foot Expected to be out until at least Oct 25
10/18/2019 Nassir Little SF Ankle Game Time Decision
7/6/2019 Jusuf Nurkic C Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Feb 1

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris averaged 12.9 points per game in 28.8 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 2.2 assists per contest and 2.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 42% for the year while his free throw percentage was 80%. Jamal Murray comes into this contest after averaging 18.2 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 4.2 rebounds per game and dished out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 44% while his free throw percentage was at 85%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum averaged 21.0 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 33.9 minutes per contest. He also averaged 4.0 rebounds per contest and 3.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 46% and his free throw percentage was 83%. Damian Lillard averaged 25.8 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 4.6 rebounds per game and had 6.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 44% and his free throw percentage finished at 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nuggets allowed 106.7 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 6th in the league. They also allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 42.5 rebounds a game which ranked 1st, and they gave up 24.6 assists per contest which put them in 16th place in the league. They forced 13.5 turnovers per game which ranked them 14th in the league. Denver averaged 110.7 points per contest last season, which ranked them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 4.0 and their shooting percentage was 47% as a team, which had them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shot 35% which was good for 20th in the league. They averaged 46.4 rebounds per game and 27.4 assists per game, which ranked them 8th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 23rd with 13.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers surrendered 110.5 points per contest, which ranked them 14th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 3rd with 23.2 assists allowed per contest, and 3rd with 42.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers were 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game last season. Portland was 6th in the league with 114.7 points per game last year. They were 12th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin was 4.2. They shot 36% from 3-point range, which was good for 9th in the NBA. They were 3rd in the league in rebounding with 48.0 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 23.0. The Blazers were 20th in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets were 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113, and their defensive rating of 108.9 was ranked 10th last season. In terms of pace they were 27th in the league with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% was 14th. As a team they were 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shot 3 pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Denver was 24th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 52%, which was 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland was 20th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 52%, which was 19th in the league. The Blazers were 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 110.5 was ranked 16th. In terms of pace they were 18th in the league with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% was 13th. As a team they were 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Portland -1

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn