Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs. Nuggets NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the Nuggets on Saturday, March 12th at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Raptors Nuggets matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(36-30) Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets (40-27)
Date: Saturday, March 12th
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
NBA Moneyline Odds: Raptors +209 | Nuggets -225 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Nuggets -5.5
NBA Betting Total: 225
Saturday, March 12th finds the Toronto Raptors playing the Denver Nuggets for the second and final time this season. Denver won the initial meeting 110-109 on February 12th.
The Raptors are playing a back-to-back set having beat the Suns 117-112 on Friday while the Nuggets played Thursday losing 102-113 to the Warriors.
Last season the clubs played twice splitting the season series with each team winning on their home court. The Nuggets hold the all-time record having bested the Raptors in 31 of their 51 matches
Toronto Raptors
While Fred VanVleet was out the Raptors struggled offensively and Gary Trent Jr’s shot was still on vacation. Case in point, in the eight games since the break GTJ was shooting 30.2% from the field and 22.6% from the perimeter.
Part of his struggles was made worse when Fred VanVleet had to sit as the opposing teams put more pressure on him and the floor spacing was almost nonexistent.
VanVleet returned to the court versus the Spurs and the offense was noticeably better and GTJ’s shot immediately improved. By Friday he’d rediscovered his rhythm and went off for 42 points.
More impressive was his efficiency as he shot 13 of 21 from the field and 8 of 11 from deep. He was in the zone and the Suns didn’t have an answer other than Cameron Payne diving into him and flopping which garnered two flagrant foul reviews and inexplicably one was assessed.
Trent is a streaky shooter, but never lacks for confidence and with VanVleet drawing the attention of the defense it opened up the court for GTJ who happily took advantage.
Toronto’s defense locked in during clutch time creating four steals with rookie Scottie Barnes snaring three in the final 2:11 which were critical to the victory.
Anunoby (finger) remains out indefinitely as does Malachi Flynn (hamstring).
Denver Nuggets
Having played the Warriors earlier in the week the Nuggets got the “A” team version on Thursday and didn’t seem to have their legs as they were playing their second consecutive back-to-back set.
This match will be their fifth in seven days something the Raptors dealt with last week when they played three consecutive back-to-back sets. It puts so much pressure on players to try to get enough rest and sometimes the mind is there but the body isn’t.
Nikola Jokic did his best to keep Denver in the match Thursday flirting with a triple-double including 23 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists but even he looked more lethargic than normal.
Aaron Gordon also delivered a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds while Monte Morris scored 19. Jeff Green (11) and Bones Hyland (10) were the other double-figure contributors.
Bones Hyland (ankle) is probable, Zeke Nnaji (hamstring), Aaron Gordon (foot), and Will Barton (ankle) are questionable for Saturday. Vlatko Cancar (fractured foot), and Jamal Murry (ACL) are out indefinitely while Michael Porter Jr. (back surgery) is presumed out for the season.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Toronto is 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games.
- Denver is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
- Toronto is 13-7 SU in their last 20 games.
- Denver is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games at home.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games.
- Denver is 10-2 SU in their last 12 games.
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Prediction
Having to play the second night of a back-to-back in altitude is never ideal and even though the Nuggets are spent from their brutal schedule this week they’ll have the rest advantage.
Jokic is playing even better than he did in his MVP season and against a club like the Raptors who don’t have a player taller than 6’10 he’s an especially hard player to game plan for.
These teams battled in Toronto with Jokic blocking OG Anunoby on the final shot of the game to give Denver the one-point win.
Denver should take the game but I like the Raps to keep it close as they resemble the version that was playing great before the break now that VanVleet is back.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors +5.5
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