It’s too early to press the panic button, but the out-of-sorts Denver Nuggets will look to quieten the noise as they take on the Toronto Raptors tonight.
At 3-3, with a concussion for Jamal Murray just the latest setback, Denver has stumbled out of the gate — so my Raptors vs Nuggets predictions focus more on the improving visitors and their stand-in No.1 scorer.
Read on for my NBA picks and betting angles ahead of this November 4 clash.
Raptors vs Nuggets prediction
My best bet
RJ Barrett Over 24.5 points (-105 at PointsBet)
My analysis
The Toronto Raptors are still waiting to see their core trio of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett in action together this year — and that wait goes on here, with Barnes sidelined and Quickley listed as doubtful.
That leaves Barrett with a big scoring burden, and he’s embraced that role so far, reaching the 30-point mark in three straight games.
He led the way in Toronto’s overtime victory against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, a night after dropping 33 points on the Los Angeles Lakers, and I’m grabbing these odds for another dominant performance.
It’s partly a volume play too. Barrett has piled up 21 or more field attempts in three of his four outings this season, and that trend should continue at Ball Arena, with the visitors short on consistent scorers.
While Jakob Poeltl, Davion Mitchell, and Ochai Agbaji are valuable connectors, it’s going to come down to Barrett and Gradey Dick to kickstart the Toronto offense.
Barrett’s 3-point shooting could make or break this pick, but he’s gone 10-for-20 from downtown in his last three contests. The Denver Nuggets perimeter defense has been sloppy through the first six games, and more minutes for Russell Westbrook (in Murray’s absence) won’t help matters.
For a Nuggets team that’s also sweating on the health of Aaron Gordon, the Barrett assignment could be a real problem tonight and I like the Canadian’s chances of cashing in the Over.
Raptors vs Nuggets same-game parlay (SGP)
RJ Barrett Over 24.5 points
Raptors +10.5
Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 rebounds
The Raptors took the Nuggets to overtime last week and actually led for much of that contest, so it’s tough to trust Denver with a spread this big, especially when Murray isn’t out there as a reliable secondary bucket-getter.
Instead, I’m laying the points and counting on Toronto’s rookie-heavy second unit to provide a jolt in the altitude of Mile High City against a group of Nuggets reserves that’s off to a shaky start.
The Raptors have covered the spread in six of their seven games this year, and Darko Rajakovic has been willing to mix and match to paper over the absence of key players. I see the visitors playing hard once again and keeping this close.
I’m also wagering on Nikola Jokic to rack up rebounds here. He’s got a physicality edge over Poeltl, and Toronto is thin on frontcourt depth if foul trouble becomes a factor.
Denver is asking so much of Jokic this season, but he’s responded with eye-popping box scores, even by his own high standards. He pulled down 16 boards against the Utah Jazz at the weekend in just 30 minutes, and the three-time MVP is well-placed for a similar tally tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Nuggets odds
Raptors vs Nuggets live odds
Get the latest Raptors vs Nuggets NBA odds.
Raptors vs Nuggets opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +9.5 | Denver -9.5
- Moneyline: Toronto +350 | Denver -425
- Over/Under: Over 229.5 | Under 229.5
Raptors vs Nuggets spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors enter as double-digit underdogs, but they’re 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games while the Nuggets are 4-6 ATS in that same span.
- Though Denver has won six of the past eight meetings between these teams, none of those victories came by a margin of more than 10 points.
- Toronto has cashed in the Over in 27 of their last 41 road games, and the 4Q Over has been a winning ticket in 15 of the visitors’ last 20 contests overall.
- But the Under on a line of 231.5 looks like good value here, with both teams missing key scorers and leaning on the fringes of their first-choice rotation.
Raptors vs Nuggets trend
The Nuggets have hit the 1H Under in nine of their last 11 games at Ball Arena. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Nuggets.
Raptors vs Nuggets game info
| Location: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date: | Monday, 11-4-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
Raptors vs Nuggets latest injuries
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