Denver Nuggets vs Toronto Raptors Prediction, 8/14/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Friday, August 14, 2020

Location: HP Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -3

Total/Over-Under: 230

Paul Millsap and the Denver Nuggets (46-26, 1st in the Northwest Division) go to HP Field House on Friday where they'll take on the Toronto Raptors (52-19, 1st in the Atlantic Division). Toronto opens this game as 3-point favorites. The total opens at 230.

The Nuggets are covering the spread 48.5% of the time, having gone 33-35-4 ATS. Toronto is covering 57.1% of the time, going 40-30-1 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

08/12/20 SG Will Barton Knee is questionable Friday vs Toronto
08/12/20 SF Vlatko Cancar Foot is out indefinitely
08/12/20 SG Gary Harris Hip is questionable Friday vs Toronto

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

08/12/20 SF OG Anunoby Knee is questionable Friday vs Denver
08/12/20 PF Oshae Brissett Knee is questionable Friday vs Denver
08/12/20 C Serge Ibaka Knee is questionable Friday vs Denver
08/12/20 PG Kyle Lowry Back is questionable Friday vs Denver
08/06/20 SG Patrick McCaw Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Paul Millsap comes into this contest averaging 11.6 points per game while playing 24.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 82%. Nikola Jokic averages 20.2 points per game in 32.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.1 assists per contest and 9.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry averages 19.4 points per game while playing 36.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.0 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Fred VanVleet averages 17.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 6.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 111.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.3 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 26.7 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.7 per game. The Nuggets allow 109.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.5 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 25.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 13th in the league with 112.7 points per game this year. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.2. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 45.3 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 25.2. The Raptors are 15th in turnovers per game with 14.8. The Raptors surrender 106.5 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.5 assists allowed per contest and 25th with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 110.9, and their offensive rating of 113.2 is ranked 16th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 10th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA. Denver is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 12th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 29th in the NBA. The Raptors are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 104.9, and their offensive rating of 111 is ranked 2nd. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 9th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Denver +3

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