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Game 3: Nuggets vs. Jazz NBA Pick | Preview

Shea Matthews weighs in with this week’s best Round 1 NBA Playoff picks for gambling on all the action…Friday on the hardwood we get the Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz for game 3 of their 7 game series…

FRIDAY APRIL 23, 2010 – Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz

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Nuggets lead series 1-0

Team records:
Denver: 53-29 SU, 34-42-6 ATS
Utah: 53-29 SU, 49-30-3 ATS

Just when we thought the Jazz were ready to roll over and die, they sent a powerful message to both the Denver Nuggets and basketball bettors alike: Even without Mehmet Okur (torn Achilles), we will make this a series.

Matchup: NUGGETS vs. JAZZ – Series tied 1-1

Time: Game 3: Friday, April 23, 10:30 p.m. ET
Venue: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City
Spread: Jazz home favorites by -2.5
Over/Under: 215

There’s no other way to put it: the Jazz have heart. Missing Ohkur and Andrei Kirilenko, down one game to none, playing against a Nuggets team that dominates at home, they ground out a win. The Jazz even trailed by four points with four and a half minutes left and rallied to steal the game.

The big difference maker was Deron Williams. He carried the Jazz on his back, putting up 33 points and 14 assists. Carlos Boozer gave him key support with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

The deciding factor in the Jazz’s win was Carmelo Anthony. Melo exploded for 42 points in Game 1 and had 32 points in Game 2 but did most of his damage from the line (14/15 free throws) and shot just nine for 25 from the field. More importantly, he fouled out. In Anthony’s career, the Nuggets are just 1-11 when he fouls out. It came at a crucial moment, too; the Nuggets were trailing by a point.

It’s enough to make me wonder – did Utah only slip by because Anthony wasn’t on the floor for the last 25 seconds? And what will happen on Friday night if he’s there for the long haul? Online Sports Betting at Sportsbook

Clearly, we have a tough betting decision. The Jazz are a force at home but Denver is the deeper, more talented team at the moment.

It’s also 7-1-2 against the spread over its last 10 meetings with Utah. Most basketball bettors will use a general rule of thumb – that you don’t bet on Denver on the road or against Utah at home – but I’m going against the grain.

After all, no one saw Utah’s Game 2 win coming, right?

Denver is the healthier team and Carmelo Anthony isn’t likely to foul out – or shoot 36 per cent from the floor – two games in a row.

The Jazz can’t expect to win a ton of games when they start Kyrylo Fesenko against Nene, as courageous as Fesenko’s effort was in Game 2.

Jazz vs. Nuggets Free NBA Prediction

Pick Denver to surprise Utah with a bounce-back effort. Nuggets +2.5

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Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"