The Denver Nuggets (44-26) travel to face off against the Portland Trail Blazers (31-39) on Friday, March 21st. This game will be played at Moda Center in Portland and televised on KATU. The Trail Blazers are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Nuggets are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Nuggets. Tip-off is set for 10:00 ET.

Nuggets vs Trail Blazers

The Nuggets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Denver’s record dropped to 44-26 after a 120-108 road loss to the Lakers on Wednesday. The Nuggets, who were +5.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 228 points narrowly exceeded the O/U line of 224.5.

The Lakers took control early, going on a 12-0 run to push the score from 24-16 to 36-16. Denver won the 2nd quarter 30-27, but a poor 3rd quarter saw them outscored 32-18. They rallied in the 4th, holding the Lakers to 15 points while scoring 31, but it was too late.

The Trail Blazers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Portland improved to 31-39 on the season with a 115-99 win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers were +4.5 point underdogs at home but covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game were 214, falling well below the 234.5 O/U line.

Portland took control early, outscoring Memphis 38-29 in the 1st quarter and 33-29 in the 2nd. After the Grizzlies narrowed the gap by winning the 3rd quarter 31-25, the Trail Blazers’ defense stepped up in the 4th, holding Memphis to just 10 points while going on an 11-0 run to seal the game.

Nuggets Offense Breakdown

Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 26 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 5 threes at a 55.6% clip in their 120-108 loss to the Lakers. Jalen Pickett added 14 points, knocking down 4 threes at 66.7% shooting from deep.

Denver made 13 threes as a team, but shot just 33.3% from beyond the arc and 47.1% overall. Gordon scored 10 points in the 3rd quarter, while Pickett added 12 in the 4th.

Trail Blazers Offense Breakdown

The Trail Blazers knocked down 18 threes at a 39.1% clip in their win over the Grizzlies, despite shooting just 41.7% overall from the field. Deni Avdija led the way with 5 threes, hitting 62.5% from deep and finishing with 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Avdija scored 16 points in the 2nd quarter, while Anfernee Simons added 9 of his 22 points in the 4th. Shaedon Sharpe contributed 17 points, and Toumani Camara and Duop Reath added 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Nuggets Team Defense

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 4th quarter, where they allowed just 15 points, the Nuggets couldn’t overcome a rough 1st quarter, giving up 46 points in their 120-108 loss to the Lakers. Denver allowed Los Angeles to shoot 50% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Lakers hit 16 threes at a 42% clip. Denver sent the Lakers to the line 28 times, with Los Angeles converting 20 free throws. The Nuggets recorded 33 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and finished with 8 steals and 4 blocks.

Trail Blazers Team Defense

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 4th quarter, where the Nuggets held the Lakers to just 15 points, they couldn’t overcome a rough start, allowing 46 points in the 1st quarter. Denver gave up 120 points on 50% shooting from the field.

The Nuggets struggled to defend the three, with the Lakers hitting 16 threes at a 42% clip. Denver sent the Lakers to the line 28 times, where they converted 20 free throws. The Nuggets finished with 8 steals and 4 blocks.

Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Trends

• Although Denver has a straight up record of 2-3 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 113 points per game in these games.
• Across their ten previous home games, Portland has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 4-6 while averaging 117 points per game.
• The last five games that Denver was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 2-3 straight up.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Trail Blazers have a straight up record of 9-1. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.

Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Prediction

Not only do we have the Trail Blazers winning this one by a score of 116-99, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Trail Blazers at -1.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 225.5 and given that our model is projecting 215 points between the teams, we like the under.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.