Raptors vs. Nuggets - NBA Game Preview - March 6, 2023

Odds By KingPin.pro

Toronto Raptors

Despite facing a rollercoaster ride of a season, the Toronto Raptors have managed to stay in the playoff hunt and are currently sitting in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference with a record of 32-33. While they have struggled on the road, with a lackluster 12-20 record away from home, they have shown signs of improvement in recent games.

The Raptors are coming off an impressive overtime victory against the Washington Wizards, and they'll be hoping to continue that momentum against the Nuggets on March 6, 2023. Toronto has won seven of their last 10 games, with impressive performances from key players, including Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam.

Poeltl has been a dominant force on the boards for Toronto, averaging 9.0 rebounds per game. His aggressive style of play has earned him respect from opponents and fans alike, making him a valuable asset to the Raptors' lineup. Meanwhile, Siakam has been putting up impressive numbers on the scoreboard, averaging 23.7 points over the last 10 games. He's proven himself to be a clutch performer, consistently stepping up in key moments to lead his team to victory.

Despite their recent success, the Raptors face a tough challenge in the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference with a record of 45-19 and have been dominant at home all season, boasting a 29-4 record at the Pepsi Center. The Raptors will need to bring their A-game if they hope to upset the Nuggets on their home court.

As NBA Picks experts would say, this game is definitely a tough one to call. However, if Poeltl and Siakam can continue their strong play and the rest of the Raptors can step up, they have a chance to pull off the upset. Fans will be eagerly anticipating this exciting matchup between two talented teams, and only time will tell who will come out on top.

Denver Nuggets

As the top seed in the West, the Nuggets are considered a favorite to make a deep run in the playoffs. They have been playing excellent basketball lately, going 8-2 in their last 10 games and averaging 118.8 points per game. In addition to Jokic and Murray, the Nuggets have a deep and talented roster that includes players like Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon. They have been particularly impressive on the defensive end of the court, allowing just 107.5 points per game, the third-best mark in the NBA.

For NBA fans looking for some free picks, the Nuggets are a strong candidate to cover the spread in this game. They have been one of the best teams in the league all season, particularly at home, and they have a number of players who are capable of putting up big numbers on any given night. The Raptors will need to play their best basketball if they hope to keep up with the Nuggets, but given their recent form, they should be able to give Denver a run for their money. Nonetheless, based on their dominant record at home, the Nuggets are likely to win and cover the spread in this matchup.

Injuries

The Denver Nuggets have been dealing with a few injuries as of late, with point guard Collin Gillespie out indefinitely with a leg injury and power forward Zeke Nnaji also out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. Additionally, small forward Vlatko Cancar is questionable for their upcoming game against the Toronto Raptors due to a wrist injury. While these injuries may impact the Nuggets' depth, they still have plenty of firepower in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to give them a strong chance of winning. On the other hand, the Raptors will be without small forward Otto Porter Jr. for the remainder of the season due to a foot injury. This will be a significant blow to the Raptors' depth, but they have been playing well lately and will look to rely on the strong play of Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam to fill the void left by Porter's absence. When considering NBA picks free, these injuries will certainly factor into the analysis and ultimately, the decision-making process for those making their picks.

Betting Trends

The Raptors are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games against the Nuggets and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games when playing on the road against Denver. The total has gone UNDER in four of Toronto's last six games. The Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games and have won eight of their last 10 games.

Public Betting Data

According to the latest public betting data, 58% of the bets are on the Nuggets to cover the spread. The over/under is set at 227.5 points, and 51% of the bets are on the over.

Prediction

The Nuggets have been dominant at home all season and have the talent to make a deep playoff run. However, the Raptors have been playing some of their best basketball of the season and have the potential to pull off the upset on the road. While the Nuggets are the favorites to win this game, the Raptors have the talent to keep it close.

Pick: Toronto Raptors (+7.5)