Nuggets vs. Jazz Betting Preview (August 8, 2020)

The Nuggets have been up-and-down like a Disney amusement park roller coaster since entering the NBA bubble in Orlando. Down several key players, the Nuggets have struggled to find consistency as they piece together shorthanded lineups, while Utah, too, faces injury uncertainty.

Keep this in mind as we break down where the money should go with our Nuggets vs. Jazz betting preview.

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Despite its injury woes, Denver has managed a respectable 2-2 restart record and remains locked into the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed. On Saturday, they’ll look to hold off the Utah Jazz, who are also 2-2 in Orlando and sit two games behind the Nuggets.

Like previous games, Denver’s Saturday showdown with Utah is once again littered with question marks, as it remains possible several key players on both sides may not suit up.

Preview

Down four starters on Thursday, the Nuggets dropped a tough one to the Trail Blazers, 125-115, while the Jazz are coming off a 119-111 loss on Friday aftenoon to the Spurts. Utah was also without a number of players, sitting out Rudy Gobert, while Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale and Mike Conley were also sidelined. Power forward Juwan Morgan also exited the game with a knee injury.

It appears Morgan averted serious injury, but he won’t play against the Nuggets.

Denver has won both head-to-head matchups with Utah this season, including a 106-100 victory back on Jan. 30 and a 98-95 triumph six days later on Feb. 5.

Colorado online sports betting betting apps have the Nuggets as a 1-point favorite in this one.

Inside this Nuggets-Jazz betting preview, we will take a look at the odds and promos, along with some picks, and, of course, the injuries.

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Nuggets vs. Jazz Odds

Here’s the line for today’s Nuggets vs. Jazz game at DraftKings Sportsbook Colorado:

• Spread: Nuggets -1, Jazz +1
• Moneyline: Nuggets -113, Jazz -105
• Total: 218

Analysis: As of Saturday morning, this game is basically a pick’ em, and with good reason. The Jazz and Nuggets are both solid teams, and they’re both banged up.

As noted above, so much of this game comes down to who’s available on both sides. While the status of some key players remains up in the air, here’s what we do know in terms of injuries.

For Denver, Gary Harris and Will Barton remain out, while Jamal Murray and Troy Daniels are officially questionable. Even if Murray or Daniels suit up, both players are expected to be extremely limited. Paul Millsap, who did not play Thursday, is expected to be in the lineup.

Utah will be without Juwan Morgan. Rudy Gobert is likely to play, but the statuses of Donovan Mitchell and Royce O’Neale are unknown at the time this story was published.

Bets We Like With a Nuggets Cover

Nuggets to win and Michael Porter Jr. Over 19.5 Points (+200 at FOX Bet)

With several Nuggets out of the lineup, Michael Porter Jr. has gone off in the bubble. Over his last three games, he’s gone for 27, 30, and 27. Denver’s injury situation doesn’t figure to be much better today, so Porter should once again have his share of opportunities to fill it up.

This is a special boost at FOX Bet, up to +200 from +150, so with these enhanced odds, this prop presents some pretty good value, if you’re on the Nuggets to win today. I happen to be on the Nuggets today, so I’ll gladly jump in on it.

Get up to $1,000 risk-free and this Nuggets/Porter bet boost at FOX Bet by clicking right here. 

Bets We Like With a Jazz Cover

Rudy Gobert Over 14.5 points and Utah to win (+160 at FOX Bet)

Similar to the Porter bet above, this comes down to availability and pure numbers. The Jazz will be down a few key players, so Gobert should see an increased focus. A few things I like about this play:

• He should be fresh after resting Friday.
• He’s averaging 15 points per game in Orlando.
• Most importantly, he’s averaging 18.5 points per game and shooting 80% from the floor in two games against Denver this season.

Again, we will get to a spread pick in a bit, but if you’re looking for ways to boost your payouts, these player prop/outcome bets are a great way to do it.

Bets We Like Independent of Outcome (Either Team To Win By 6-10 Points at FOX Bet +180)

If you objectively look at this game and decide that there are simply too many unknown variables to get involved, there are alternative ways to approach it. One bet that I like is either team to win by 6-10 points. I don’t think we’re headed for a last-possession game, but I do think this is a relatively even contest.

The 6-10 point window with a +180 payout (get it here) allows for a close game where one team pulls away just a bit at the end. The Jan. 30 contest between these two teams fits this mold perfectly. A closely-contested game that night finished in a 106-100 Nuggets win.

Nuggets vs. Jazz Prediction

Nuggets vs. Jazz Pick: I don’t like to rely solely on trends when assessing these matchups, but I do think they’re worth a look. In this case, Denver is a perfect 5-0 with year in games where the spread is a pick, or the Nuggets are favored by one or two points.  In other words, they’ve been outstanding in such contests.

Denver has been shorthanded but scrappy since entering the bubble, and I believe Nikola Jokic will continue his dominance against the Jazz to score Denver a victory. In two games against the Jazz this season, Jokic has averaged a triple-double (29.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 10 assists). I don’t love Denver, but if I’m taking a side, it’s the Nuggets.

As for the total, I’m playing the over. Utah’s inability to slow Jokic paired with Denver’s awful three-point defense should mean points. Utah is a top ten team in teams of three-pointers taken and it’s second in three-point field goal percentage. Moreover, Utah is good from the corner, an area where Denver specifically struggles to defend.

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