Free NBA Pick: Nuggets vs. Blazers NBA Odds
Looking for Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Nuggets taking on the Blazers on Saturday, May 29th, 2021, at the Moda Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Nuggets Blazers matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(2-1) Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers (1-2)
Date: Saturday, May 29th
Time: 4:00 PM EST
Venue: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
NBA Moneyline Odds: Nuggets +160 | Blazers -170
NBA Betting Odds: Blazers -4
NBA Betting Total: 227
Saturday, May 29th the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers meet for the fourth time in their first-round series. Denver won the last two matches to take the series lead 2-1.
The Blazers won the opening match so a win on Saturday would draw the series even. While some of the early series have been blow-outs this three-six Western Conference matchup has been arguably the most entertaining, particularly in the West.
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic was a beast again putting the stamp on the win in the closing seconds to cement the victory. It was the pivotal moment in the match as CJ McCollum had just drained a 3-pointer to bring the Blazers within three points.
Monte Morris was ready to help Portland, missing both of the ensuing free throws but the Blazers failed to box out the big man and it cost them an opportunity for Dame to hit a three and send the game to overtime.
Instead, Jokic overpowered Robert Covington and Norman Powell to grab the rebound drop in the easy basket and put Denver up by five (120-115) which was the final score.
Jokic delivered a double-double of 36 points and 11 rebounds connecting on four of his seven 3-point shots and added five assists.
Austin Rivers stepped up to showcase how savvy his late season addition was scoring 21 points and connecting on half (5 of 10) of his 3-point shots.
That freed up Michael Porter Jr. who scored 15 points while Aaron Gordon provided defensive intensity and added 13 points.
Will Barton (right hamstring strain), is questionable while PJ Dozier (right adductor strain) remains out. Jamal Murray (torn ACL) lost for the season.
Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard did his best to keep Portland in the match scoring 37 points but needed 31 shots to get that output and while he hit five 3-pointers he took 16 attempts to get those five.
CJ McCollum added 22 points, nine rebounds, and three assists while Norman Powell scored 18 points on 8 of 14 from the field.
Jusuf Nurkic delivered a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds but fouled out — hence why RoCo was tasked with trying to keep Jokic from the rebound on those free throws.
Carmelo Anthony got hot again producing 17 points with four 3-pointers but the bench overall scored only 19 points.
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture rehabilitation) is out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Nuggets are 7-3in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The teams are 5-5 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Blazers are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games.
Free Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers NBA Prediction:
It seems like Michael Malone has something figured out schematically with the Nuggets defense because Denver can live with 37 Lillard points if it takes 31 shots for him to get there.
Now Terry Stotts will need to make an adjustment to counter the move and figure out some screen action to free up Dame for better (more frequently open) shots.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nuggets +4
This series has been super fun so as much as I think the Nuggets will win the series Lillard knows this is a must-win for Portland with Game 5 back in Denver. I have a feeling this could be a close match with Dame hitting a deep 3-pointer at game end to tie the series.
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