Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, 8/17/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Monday, August 17, 2020

Location: HP Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 218.5

HP Field House is the venue where Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (46-26, 1st in the Northwest Division) will take on the Utah Jazz (44-28, 3rd in the Northwest Division) on Monday in Game 1 of their 1st round series. The line on this game has Denver as 3.5-point favorites. The total is set at 218.5.

The Jazz cover 48.6% of the time, having gone 34-36-2 ATS. Denver covers the spread 47.8% of the time, going 33-36-4 against the spread.

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

08/14/20 PG Mike Conley Knee is probable Monday vs Denver
08/14/20 C Ed Davis Knee left last game, is questionable Monday vs Denver
08/14/20 C Rudy Gobert Back is probable Monday vs Denver
08/14/20 PG Emmanuel Mudiay Knee is questionable Monday vs Denver
06/28/20 SF Bojan Bogdanovic Wrist is out for season

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

08/14/20 F Michael Porter Jr. Rest is questionable Monday vs Utah
08/14/20 SG Will Barton Knee is questionable Monday vs Utah
08/14/20 SG Gary Harris Hip is questionable Monday vs Utah
08/12/20 SF Vlatko Cancar Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Joe Ingles comes into this contest averaging 9.8 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Mike Conley averages 14.4 points per game in 29.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.4 assists per contest and 3.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 19.9 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.7 rebounds per game and has 7.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Paul Millsap averages 11.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 24.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.7 rebounds per contest and 1.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah averages 111.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.5 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 1st in the league. They average 44.9 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 10th with 15.1 per game. The Jazz allow 108.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.7 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 21.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 12.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 19th in the league with 111.3 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 2.1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 44.1 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 26.7. The Nuggets are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Nuggets surrender 109.2 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 25.4 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 42.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Jazz are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.3, and their defensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Utah is 6th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league. The Nuggets are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.1, and their defensive rating of 111 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 9th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Utah +3.5

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