The Denver Nuggets (22-10) and Toronto Raptors (20-14) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The game will be broadcast live on ALT2.
The Raptors are 6.5-point favorites over the Nuggets on the spread, with the over/under set at 226.5 total points. Toronto is a -270 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Denver is +220 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Nuggets vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, December 31.
Nuggets vs Raptors Prediction, Picks
- Nuggets vs Raptors pick: Raptors -6.5 (-115)
My Raptors vs Nuggets best bet is on Toronto to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Nuggets vs Raptors Odds
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -102 | 226.5 -112o / -108u | +220 |
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -118 | 226.5 -112o / -108u | -270 |
Nuggets vs Raptors NBA Preview
On Monday night, Denver had rallied from an early first half deficit while Nikola Jokic was tracking for another triple-double with 21 points, five rebounds, and eight assists.
However, just before the end of the half, forward Spencer Jones stepped on Jokic's foot, causing him to hyperextend his left knee. Jokic will miss at least the next four weeks, causing ripple effects around the league.
Individually, Jokic had been running neck and neck with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the MVP race. However, Jokic will miss at least 18 games, which will make ineligible for MVP and All-NBA selections. SGA is now -425 to repeat as MVP.
The Nuggets already lost the first two games on their East Coast road trip to each of the Florida teams. They currently sit in the third spot in the Western Conference, but being just 1.5 games ahead of sixth, I would expect them to slide back.
However, unlike in years past, Denver has a starting caliber backup to fill the non-Jokic minutes. Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 22.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per 36 minutes.
His first start of the season comes against the team that made him the 5th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Kitchener, Ontario native Jamal Murray also returns to his home country tonight. He is averaging 25.2 points and seven assists per game this season.
Meanwhile, the Raptors dropped a couple of games they will probably want back with losses to the Nets and Wizards, but they have still won three of their last five games.
For the last two victories, they have rallied from double-digit fourth quarter deficits, outscoring the Warriors 19-5 in overtime on Sunday. They will look to move to 3-0 on their homestand and they are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Raptors have dealt with their own injury difficulties as RJ Barrett missed a month with a knee injury before returning against the Warriors.
Barrett is one of four Raptors' averaging at least 16 points per game along with Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Immanuel Quickley. Ingram leads the way at 21.9 points per game.
Meanwhile, Barnes just recorded a monster triple-double with 23 points, 25 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Warriors.
Nuggets vs Raptors Prediction, Betting Analysis
The Nuggets were tied going into halftime before Jokic's injury and went on to lose by 24 points. While they will have the opportunity to gameplan being without him, it also tracks with how important he is to the team.
When Jokic is on the floor, the Nuggets have a +12 net rating and a -5.3 net rating when he is off the floor for over a 17-point swing.
While Jokic is Denver's most important player, he is the fourth starter to go on the shelf as Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson are all sidelined as well.
Denver also has failed to cover seven of the last 10 meetings against Toronto. For most of those games, Toronto was an underdog, but I could see this one being decided by double-digits with the Nuggets being so shorthanded. Toronto has 5-3 ATS in its last eight games as well.
While with the Pelicans, Ingram scored 20 points in three of his last four games against Denver. He has also scored 20 points in seven of his last 10 games, averaging 24.5 per game in that span.
Barnes has a double-double in his last two games against the Nuggets, nearly missing a triple-double in one of those games. If he flirts with another triple-double, he should record at least 13 RA, which he has gotten in six of his last 10 games.
Meanwhile, Valanciunas has recorded 10 rebounds in each of his last three games against his former team with two double-doubles.
While he is averaging just 13 minutes per game this season, he should play at least 28 minutes as a starter. That should give him opportunity to record a double-double as the Raptors are without Jakob Poeltl.
Pick: Raptors -6.5 (-115)
Nuggets vs. Raptors Parlay Picks
- Brandon Ingram 20+ Points
- Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists
- Jonas Valanciunas To Record A Double-Double
Parlay Odds: +250 via DraftKings
