NBA Basketball
2010-11-18 - Denver Nuggets at Portland
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Thursday 18 November 2010 - Tip-Off 10:30pm ET
3:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers (7-5) have been one of the unluckiest teams when it comes to injuries in the NBA over the last few seasons and this season is shaping up to be no different. Brandon Roy was already ruled out of this game as his knees look shot, in much the same fashion as Ledley King for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, but they then saw Greg Odon ruled out for the season last night. Now they face the high powered Offense of the Denver Nuggets (6-5) and it may be difficult to contain.
Brandon Roy is the leading scorer for the Trail Blazers this season but is going to miss his 2nd game in a row. Portland will be hoping that Wesley Matthews can fill in again in the same manner he did against Memphis when registering 30 points, a career high.
LaMarcus Aldridge has made a strong start to the season, but he has historically struggled when faced with the Nuggets, averaging just over 10 points per game in 8 meetings with them. Portland will be hoping their home form can continue in this game and they are 3-1 at the Rose Garden this season.
The Nuggets are averaging over 105 points per game so far this season, making them one of the strongest Offensive teams in the NBA, and they have had to do this without the usual production from Chauncey Billups. He will be hoping he can replicate his past performances against Portland whom he averages 17 points per game against and is at 50% shooting from the field in the last 3 games between the teams.
Carmelo Anthony continues to impress regardless of all the rumours surrounding his future. He averages 30 points per game in Portland and has scored 73 in his last 2 visits to the Rose Garden. Anthony is currently dominating the boards and has pulled down 44 rebounds in his last 2 games.
Head to Head
Portland have won 4 of their last 6 home games against the Nuggets. The favourite is 7-1 against the spread in recent games between the two teams, while the home team is also 7-1 against the spread in the series.
Denver have struggled in their recent games on the road, going 3-12-2 in their last 17 against the spread.
The Nuggets have lost 3 in a row on the road, but 2 of those defeats came by 6 points or less.
Prediction
This is sure to be another close contest between two rivals, but I feel the edge may just have gone towards the Denver Nuggets in recent days.
The Nuggets are extremely good at putting up points and it is going to be hard for Portland to keep up without Brandon Roy. Denver have also had a couple of close defeats on the road in their last 3 and could be ready to get the W here.
Portland are a strong home team, but I just feel the injuries might be tough to overcome against a team like Denver. I will pick the Nuggets as the underdog to pull the W here.
The Pick :
Portland Trail Blazers 98-104 Denver Nuggets
