Free NBA Pick: Blazers vs. Nuggets NBA Odds
Looking for Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Blazers taking on the Nuggets on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021, at the Ball Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Blazers Nuggets matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(2-2) Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets (2-2)
Date: Tuesday, June 1st
Time: 9:00 PM EST
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver Colorado
NBA Moneyline Odds: Blazers +107 | Nuggets -115
NBA Betting Odds: Nuggets -1.5
NBA Betting Total: 226
Tuesday, June 1st the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets play the fifth game of their first-round series in what has now become a best of three series.
The latter because the Blazers drew even courtesy of their win on Saturday. Portland jumped on Denver from the tip building a 12 point lead and was never in jeopardy of losing as they went on to win Game 4 by a score of 115-95.
As I’ve noted throughout the previews this series was always going to be one that would likely go the distance with two capable dark horse squads.
Portland and Denver have met three times in past postseason play with the Blazers winning two of the three series. The last time the teams met was the 2019 semi-finals that were pushed to seven games with the Blazers prevailing.
Portland Trail Blazers
With each team winning on the road the trick now will be for Portland to replicate that effort given two of the three matches remaining occur in Denver.
In Game 4, it was the support staff who rose to the occasion with Norman Powell leading the way. He delivered a highly efficient 29 points on 11 of 15 from the field, 4 of 4 from the perimeter, and 3 of 3 from the line.
Yet it was Powell’s defensive intensity on Michael Porter Jr. which was arguably the more important part of his performance on Saturday.
MPJ took only three shots mostly due to Powell contesting his receipt of the ball and not allowing him to move when the ball found his hand.
Lillard did register a double-double of 10 points and 10 assists but shot 1 of 10 from the field. CJ McCollum (21), Jusuf Nurkic (17), and birthday boy Carmelo Anthony (12) were the other double-figure contributors.
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture rehabilitation) is out.
Denver Nuggets
Head coach Michael Malone didn’t pull any punches in this post-game presser calling out his starters for not being prepared, playing tentative, and not delivering any defensive effort.
There was a good reason why he pinpointed the starters as his reserve unit outscored the Blazers 50 to 29 with seven of the eight reserves possessing a positive plus-minus.
In the past when Malone has delivered a similar diatribe it’s resulted in his team responding with a much more aggressive effort.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets scoring 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Facundo Campazzo (12) was the only other starter to produce double-figures.
Monte Morris (12) and JaMychal Green (11) led the scoring for the reserve unit.
Will Barton (right hamstring strain) is nearing a return. His presence would take some pressure off MPJ but is still listed as day-to-day.
PJ Dozier (right adductor strain) is out with Jamal Murray (torn ACL) lost for the season.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Nuggets are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Blazers are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Prediction:
Denver tends to respond to their coach so expect a much more aggressive effort on both sides of the court. What they’ll have to hope for is Lillard doesn’t respond to his cold shooting night with one of those breakout games.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nuggets ATS
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire 2021 NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!