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With the Nuggets vs. Blazers a game matching up teams with equal and respectable records, the line had Portland a -6.5 home favorite with the total set at 203.5.
The new-look Nuggets gelled quickly in a Thursday night win over Boston, and they’ll have to work on the fly once again as they head to Portland less than 24 hours after that win.
Once a run-and-gun, high-scoring team, the Nuggets slowed down the pace against Boston. It was their second game without Carmelo Anthony, but their first with Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler. The team was disjointed offensively, but they held the Celtics to 75 points on 39.0% shooting from the field in an 89-75 victory. They’re now 2-0 since trading Anthony, but Friday will be their first road game.
The Blazers have some adjustments to make as well though. Brandon Roy just returned from a knee injury after missing 30 games. He’s being worked in slowly, playing just 15 minutes off the bench on Wednesday night. Portland could also have its newest addition in uniform, forward Gerald Wallace (15.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG), who was acquired from Charlotte on Thursday. The Blazers will also be going very small, as center Joel Przybilla was traded to the Bobcats in the Wallace deal, Marcus Camby is doubtful (knee), and of course Greg Oden (knee) is out for the season. In their first game back from the break, an overtime home loss to the Lakers Wednesday, LaMarcus Aldridge (29.1 PPG over his past 10 games) and Wesley Matthews (19.0 PPG in his past 10 games) kept up their strong play. Aldridge had 29 points and 14 boards, while Matthews had 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting.
It’s going to be a weird day in the NBA after a flood of trade deadline deals, and these teams are as in flux as any. I’m leaning towards <b>Portland</b> because of a couple of trends. Denver is just 5-13-2 ATS playing the second game of a back-to-back, including ATS losses in its past four.
