The Blazers hope to avenge their Game 1 loss versus the Nuggets and even the series out before the games take place in Portland. Stealing a win on the road would be a huge victory for the Blazers who have posted a 35-9 record on their home court this season. **video
We break down the NBA betting odds for this matchup and give our predictions and best bets for Trail Blazers at Nuggets.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS AT DENVER NUGGETS (-4, 219.5)
QUICK HITTER
Both the Blazers and Nuggets are ranked in the top 10 in first quarter points per game. In the first quarter of the opening game, 32 points were scored by each side.
Look for the Nuggets to come out strong and continue their hot shooting at home. They average the fourth highest shooting percentage on their own court at 48.7 and are coming off a Game 1 performance where they shot over 50 percent. The Nuggets have been shooting the ball well at home and should be able to eclipse 25 points before the Blazers once again in Game 2.
PREDICTION: Denver First to 25 (-150)
FIRST HALF BET
The Nuggets average 58.7 first half points at home and have been efficient with the ball. Portland has had their struggles all season long scoring points on the road early on games averaging only 52.6 points prior to the break.
Defensively, both teams have been solid in the first half of games with the Nuggets surrendering 53.7 points at home, and the Blazers 52.9. With the average halftime score over the most recent three games in the head-to-head 55-54 in favor of the Blazers, look for a lower scoring first half.
PREDICTION: First half Under 107.5 (-110)
TEAM/PLAYER PROP
In the opening game, the Trail Blazers turned the ball over a high 18 times. This number is well above their average of 14.4 turnovers per game away from home. The Nuggets do not force a lot of turnovers as a team, ranking 24th in the Association at 13.2, and the Blazers force even less at 12.5. With two solid defenses, and two teams that usually do a good job keeping ball security a premium, do not expect high turnover numbers.
Denver’s Gary Harris has already logged five games this postseason without a turnover. He is usually very sure handed with the ball and does not make a lot of mistakes with the ball in his hands as he is often looking to just catch and shoot.
PREDICTION: Gary Harris Under 1.5 turnovers (-180)
FULL GAME TOTAL
The opening game of this series produced a higher scoring game with both teams shooting the ball effectively from the floor averaging above 50 percent and above 37 percent from beyond the arc.
Although both teams are efficient when shooting the ball, these are two teams averaging not a lot of possessions per game. Denver plays at the second slowest pace at home, averaging only 100 possessions per game, and the Blazers 103.2 away from home. If neither team shoots above 50 percent, this number is very high.
PREDICTION: Under 219.5
FULL GAME SIDE
These two teams have played one another very close over the past two seasons. Through seven games played, four games have been decided by six or less points. The Nuggets have won six of the last seven games at home in the head-to-head and have done a good job covering the spread on their home court this season posting a 28-18 record in home games.
Look for Denver to take Game 2 at home and both teams to likely win on their home courts this series. Earlier today the Nuggets were 3.5-point favorites, and with a closely contested game expected, hope for the number to hit 3.5 points again, or buy down the half a point to avoid a potential push scenario.
PREDICTION: Denver -3.5
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