Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Betting Preview (April 21, 2021)

The Denver Nuggets are flying up the Western Conference standings as Nikola Jokic cements his MVP case with each game. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers are languishing due to injuries and suspect defense.

Let’s take a deep dive into the different markets out there for Colorado sports bettors in our Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers betting preview, complete with the best odds, picks, and predictions.

Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Betting Preview

Denver is down a star after Jamal Murray suffered a season-ending injury, but the Nuggets are showing no signs of slowing down. They are 3-0 since Murray was lost for the season. Obviously, Jokic’s MVP charge is a big reason for Denver’s surge.

The Blazers enter this game fresh off of a brutal loss to the Clippers on Tuesday night. Portland had the game in hand, but couldn’t close it out. They have been missing Damian Lillard for three games and his status for Wednesday night is still unclear.

Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Odds

Game lines courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook Colorado:

• Spread: Nuggets -1.5 (-112) // Trail Blazers +1.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Nuggets -122 // Trail Blazers +102
• Total: Over 229 (-109) // Under 229 (-113)

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Bets We Like With A Nuggets Win

Michael Porter Jr. Over 20.5 Points (-122)

With Murray out for the year, it’s up to Michael Porter Jr. to be Nikola Jokic’s right-hand man on offense. So far, so good. Porter is comfortably stepping into this role despite the added responsibility.

Porter has scored 21 points or more in his last six games and he’s averaging 22.3 points over his last 11 games. After two years of the Nuggets handling Porter with kid gloves, he’s emerging as a legitimate star offensively. The Blazers are going to run their best perimeter defenders at him, but that has yet to slow him down.

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Bets We Like With A Trail Blazers Win

Blazers 1Q Spread +0.5 (-121)

The Blazers need to come out with energy in the first quarter if they want to have any chance at winning this game. The Nuggets can jump on teams and put them away early and the Blazers are vulnerable after their late heartbreak on Tuesday night.

However, if Portland can bounce back with a strong first quarter, they should have enough momentum to knock off Denver.

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Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers Prediction, Pick

Seeing this spread at Nuggets -1.5 was a bit surprising. That feels like an awfully low number for one of the hottest teams in the NBA going up against an injury-riddled, flailing Portland roster.

Although this matchup does have the feel of a “trap” game, we are pushing past those reservations and taking the Nuggets laying the points. Denver has been dominant in recent weeks and we can’t see anyone on Portland completely taking Jokic out of this game.

Pick: Nuggets -1.5

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