NBA Picks

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers prediction: Odds & betting tips (22/05/2021)

Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers will meet again in the playoffs after their epic duel a couple of years ago. With that in mind, we have prepared an in-depth preview of the Nuggets vs Trail Blazers game, along with some betting predictions.

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers – The Best Free Betting Picks

The Nuggets vs Trail Blazers series should be one of the closest in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Here are some of our top picks for the first game of the Nuggets vs Trail Blazers series:

  • Moneyline: Denver Nuggets to Win @ -115 – PointsBet
  • Total Points: Over 227 @ -110 – William Hill
  • Nikola Jokic Points, Rebounds & Assists: Over 48.5 @ -121 – DraftKings

Keep in mind that odds can be changed at any time. Always check the odds with your bookie before placing a bet.

nuggets vs trail blazers predictions

Denver Nuggets to Win on Moneyline

Even though the Nuggets will go into this game without Jamal Murray, their second-best player, we expect them to come up with a win against the Trail Blazers. Nikola Jokic has proven that he can lead the team to wins even without Murray, so we see him doing it against the Blazers too.

The two teams met on the last day of the regular season in a game that the Blazers had to win in order to get into the playoffs without having to participate in the play-in match. They did win this match, but Jokic only played 16 minutes in this game. The other two duels this season have gone to Denver, in two close and exciting games, so Denver to win this game is one of our top predictions.

Over 227 Total Points

Neither of these two teams is known for their defensive prowess, so it’s reasonable to assume that we will see a high-scoring game. The last meeting between these two teams has gone well over 227 points, although the other two games have gone under this line.

In any case, the Nuggets and the Trail Blazers are both in the top ten teams in the NBA in points scored, with averages of 115.1 and 116.1 points per game, respectively. The Blazers are also second in the offensive rating category, while the Nuggets are sixth, so betting on over 227 points on this game is one of our top picks.

Nikola Jokic Over 48.5 Total Points, Rebounds & Assists

The Serbian center is the main favorite to win the MVP award this season and it will probably be a very easy decision for most voters since Jokic had a spectacular season averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.

The center will have to shoulder a much bigger burden in the playoffs without Jamal Murray, so we expect to see some impressive performances from him. With that in mind, one of our favorite betting predictions is for Jokic to combine for over 48.5 total points, rebounds, and assists.

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers preview – Can Nuggets reach the finals in the West again?

After reaching the Western Conference finals last season, the Nuggets will try to repeat that this year. However, that task will be much harder without their star Jamal Murray. Let’s take a closer look at both the Nuggets and the Blazers teams:

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have started the season slowly and they’ve struggled for a while with early injuries of Murray and Porter Jr. But the team got into the rhythm lately and even the season-ending injury of Jamal Murray didn’t slow them down since they’ve clinched the third seed in the West with a 47-25 record. They were also 6-4 in their last 10 games of the regular season.

The season for the Nuggets was a true rollercoaster with one constant – Nikola Jokic. The soon-to-be MVP has had one of the best seasons in NBA history and he led his team to the third seed. Michael Porter Jr. showed that he can be a reliable second option after Murray went down and the trade for Aaron Gordon has made the team better without a doubt.

In addition to Jamal Murray, the team has also struggled with other injuries lately, including Will Burton. He is still on the injury list for the Nuggets, but he is listed as a game-time decision and we expect to see him play against Portland. The same goes for PJ Dozier.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers have gone on an 8-2 run in the last 10 games of the season to clinch the 6th seed and avoid the play-in game. Their overall record was 42-30, but the team has struggled to deal with injuries most of the season, especially the huge chunk of games that were played without Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum.

The team was once again led by their point guard Damian Lillard, who averaged the third-best 28.7 points per game this season. Enes Kanter was on top of his form and helped the team in those games when Nurkic was injured, while the trade for Norman Powell added more offensive and shooting firepower to their already potent offense.

Luckily for them, the Trail Blazers enter the playoffs almost completely healthy. The only player on their injury list is Zach Collins, who is also listed as a game-time decision.

FAQ for Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers

Can I Watch the Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Game on Live Streams?

Yes, there are various live streaming options to try out, such as YouTube TV, Slingo TV, Fubo TV, AT&T TV, and others. Of course, NBA games are also available on the NBA League Pass and on certain TV channels like NBATV, ESPN, ABC, and TNT.

What Are the Top US Bookies for NBA Betting?

Some of the Top US bookies for betting on NBA playoffs include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Unibet, William Hill, and PointsBet.

How to Place a Bet on Nuggets vs Trail Blazers?

To bet on the first game of the Clippers vs Mavericks series, head to one of our recommended bookies. First, find the game on the website or app and then choose your preferred market. Click on it to add it to your betslip. Then, enter how much money you want to bet and confirm the bet.

Which Team Is the Favorite in This Game?

Denver Nuggets are a slight favorite in this game at -116 odds.

When Will the Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Game Start?

The game will start at 10:30 PM ET on Saturday, May 22nd.

Where Will Nuggets and Trail Blazers Play the First Game of the Series?

The Nuggets vs Trail Blazers game will be played in the Ball Arena in Denver.


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About the author

Vladimir

Vladimir’s dreams of becoming a professional basketball player ended a long time ago, but his other dream of becoming a writer came true as he combined his love of writing and sports to become a professional content writer that covers multiple sports, including football, basketball, and tennis.