Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets, 12/16/18 Predictions & Odds

Raptors vs. Nuggets Prediction

Sunday’s NBA schedule wraps up with an anticipated game when the Denver Nuggets host the Toronto Raptors at 8PM ET. Which team has the edge?

Game Snapshot & Odds

527 Toronto Raptors at 528 Denver Nuggets

Sunday, December 16, 2018

8PM ET – Pepsi Center

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Raptors are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -3 points against the Nuggets. The over/under total is currently listed at 213 points. The public betting currently is split down the middle for this game, 50-50. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Raptors on West Coast trip

Toronto is playing its fourth game on a West Coast road trip that has seen them go 2-1 thus far. The Raptors are coming off a 128-122 loss at Portland on Friday. Toronto is 23-8 on the season, 12-4 on the road, 15-16 against the spread and 18-13 with the over.

The Raptors have been really strong on both sides of the ball. They are scoring 115.8 points per game on offense while shooting 48.7 percent from the field. The defense is giving up just 107.7 points per game while holding opponents to only 44.5 percent shooting. Injuries have started to pile up for Toronto. Jonas Valanciunas is out for a month with a thumb injury while both Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry are questionable to play tonight due to back injuries. Kawhi Leonard is leading the team with 26.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while Serge Ibaka is adding 16.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.

Nuggets looking for win streak

Denver has won its last two games, both at home, over Memphis and Oklahoma City. The Nuggets have won eight of their last 10 games as well, covering the spread in all eight wins. Denver is 19-9 on the season, 11-3 at home, 17-11 against the spread and 17-10-1 with the under.

The Nuggets have one of the league’s best defenses, as they are giving up just 103.5 points per game while keeping opponents to 32.2 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, Denver puts up just 109.9 points per contest while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. The Nuggets have a lot of injuries as well. Gary Harris, Will Barton, Isaiah Thomas and Paul Millsap are all out indefinitely. Three are out with hip injuries. Jamal Murray is averaging 17.4 points and 4.8 assists for the Nuggets while Nikola Jokic is adding 17.4 points, 10 rebounds and 7.6 assists per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

Toronto

The Raptors are 1-5-1 against the spread in their last seven Sunday games and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games playing on 1 day of rest.

Denver

The Nuggets have covered the spread in five straight at home and seven of their last eight following a win.

Prediction:

Denver has been playing very well recently, especially at home. Even with the injuries, the Nuggets seem to by in sync as a team and a real threat in the West. Toronto is on a long West Coast trip and dealing with some injury problems as well. While the Raptors have looked like the best team in the league most of the season, I expect the injuries to be a problem tonight. Not having Lowry and Valanciunas hurt them against Portland and I suspect it will be a problem tonight as well. I will take the Nuggets at home with the points here.

NBA Prediction: Denver Nuggets +3