Nuggets vs 76ers Odds, Spread & Picks (Jan. 28)
Nuggets vs 76ers Injury Report
ABC has banking on showcasing the matchup between Jokic, the two-time reigning NBA MVP odds winner and current favorite, and Embiid a top-four contender. There’s still a chance the two will square off on Saturday, but it’s certainly no guarantee.
Embiid is questionable with a foot injury. He was a game-time decision with the same issue prior to Wednesday’s victory over Brooklyn, but wound up playing and racking up a double-double. The injury caused him to sit out last Saturday’s win over Sacramento, while the NBA’s scoring leader has missed 12 games in total this season.
The rest of the 76ers roster is healthy and the team is playing some of its best ball of the season. They’re currently riding a six-game winning streak, and have lost just twice in their last 13 games.
Jokic meanwhile, is probable despite a hamstring injury. He’s sat out three of Denver’s last four games due to the injury, including Wednesday’s loss to Milwaukee. Not surprisingly, the Nuggets are just 1-2 in those outings.
The outlook is little less clear for the rest of the Nuggets roster. Starting point guard Jamal Murray (hip) is questionable, as is starting small forward Michael Porter Jr. (personal). Starting two guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (wrist) is probable, while key reserve Bruce Brown (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day leaving his status up in the air for now.
Denver enters play on top of the Western Conference standings and just half a game back of Boston for the best record in the NBA. They’re 8-2 in their last 10, including undefeated in that stretch with Jokic in the lineup.
Nuggets vs 76ers Prediction
Over the past 10 games, Denver and Philadelphia rank second and eighth respectively in Net Rating. Denver is second in defensive rating, while Philly is third at the offensive end. Their season long stats are reversed, but still incredibly impressive.
NBA Net Rating Ranks
The 76ers have the edge on defense, while the Nuggets are a slightly better offensive team. Bottom line, these are two of the top contenders in NBA Championship odds for good reason.
If Denver was completely healthy, grabbing the Nuggets at +4.5 would be a no brainer in this spot. However, with so much uncertainly surrounding their roster it makes sense to lean Philly.
The 76ers boast one of the league’s biggest home court advantages, and have been spread crushers at the Wells Fargo Center. Philly is 15-9-1 ATS at home, with an average margin of victory of six points. The combination of Embiid, James Harden, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey are clicking on all cylinders, and should be able to overwhelm what is likely going to be a shorthanded Denver squad.
The Nuggets meanwhile, haven’t played nearly as well on the road as they have at home. They’re just 12-11 overall as visitors, averaging 7 points fewer per 100 possessions on offense, and yielding 7 points more per 100 possessions on defense than in Denver.
They’ve covered in just 10 of 23 road tilts so far, and we should expect them to come up short on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.
Pick: Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 (-110)
