The Denver Nuggets (50-24, 31-6 home) host the Philadelphia 76ers (49-25, 23-14 away) in an interconference showdown between two of the top teams in the NBA. Philadelphia won the lone matchup between these two earlier this season, a 126-119 victory in Philadelphia.
Monday’s contest tips off at 9:30 p.m. EST inside Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Denver is a 4.5-point favorite, and the over/under total is 229.0.
What to Know – Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia looks to get back into the win column after dropping three of its last four games, including two-straight on the road. With the NBA Playoffs just a few weeks away, the 76ers have already clinched their playoff spot with eight games remaining in the regular season.
On offense, the 76ers are 14th in the NBA averaging 115.2 points per game behind 48.6% shooting from the floor and 38.8% shooting from the 3-point line. Defensively, Philadelphia is third in the league, holding opposing teams to 110.5 ppg, 47.0% shooting from the field, and 34.6% from three.
Leading the offense for the 76ers in the NBA’s leading scorer Joel Embiid pouring in 33.3 ppg. Guards James Harden (21.4 ppg) and Tyrese Maxey (20.4 ppg) can score from anywhere on the floor for the visitors.
The 76ers are 43-31 against the spread this season and 20-17 ATS in games played on the road. Philadelphia is 12-5-1 ATS over their previous 18 games played against the Nuggets.
What to Know – Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have won three in a row and are 5-5 over their last ten matchups. Denver sits atop the Western Conference standings and has already locked up the division and a playoff spot. The Nuggets hold a three-game advantage over Memphis for the top seed.
Denver is seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 116.8 ppg while connecting on 50.9% of their attempts from the field and 38.9% from the deep. On defense, the Nuggets rank 11th in the NBA, surrendering 112.7 ppg, 48.1% from the floor, and 34.5% from beyond the arc.
The scoring duo of Nikola Jokic (24.9 ppg) and Jamal Murray 20.2 ppg) power the Nuggets high-scoring offense. Denver has five players outside of Jokic and Murray also coming into the contest averaging in double-figures.
Denver comes into Monday’s tilt with a 40-33-1 record ATS and a 23-13-1 mark ATS at home. The Nuggets are just 2-11 ATS over their last 13 games at home against Philadelphia.
The Pick is In
The Nuggets carry a three-game winning streak into the matchup and would like to hold on to the top seed in the West. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is safely in the playoff picture but looking to improve on its no. 3 spot.
With both teams securely in the postseason, don’t be surprised if we see some of the starters sit. Harden has already been ruled out of Philly, while Embiid is listed as questionable. The only key injury for the Nuggets is a questionable Michael Porter Jr.
Too many question marks surround the 76ers lineup coming into the week.
The Pick: Denver Nuggets -4.5
