Raptors vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks and NBA Odds

With some troubling early signs coming, the Denver Nuggets are still looking for their first win of the season when they visit the Toronto Raptors tonight.

Denver’s shaky supporting cast is quickly becoming history after an 0-2 start, but my Nuggets vs. Raptors predictions suggest a backlash from the visitors here, with Nikola Jokic heavily factoring into my top NBA picks for this Oct. 28 matchup.

Raptors vs Nuggets Prediction

My best bet
Nuggets -7.5 (-120 at PointsBet Canada)

My analysis

The Denver Nuggets arrive at Scotiabank Arena with a clear talent advantage over the rebuilding Toronto Raptors, and just as importantly, there is real urgency for Denver to kick-start its season.

It is a formula for the visitors to leave. I expect a ruthless, focused performance from the Nuggets, and I’m taking them to cover this spread against a Toronto team that clearly prioritizes player development.

The biggest question mark for Denver is bench production. The Russell Westbrook game is off to a rocky start, and Michael Malone has had no choice but to give minutes to unproven reserves so far this year.

The good news for the Nuggets tonight is that Toronto is experimenting with a newly loaded second unit, and the Raptors’ bench likely won’t exploit Denver like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers did last week.

With Nikola Jokic coming off a 41-point outburst against the Clippers, including a career-high seven 3-pointers, and Jamal Murray looking more like himself with a 22-point effort, I see the visitors getting off to a quick start.

Denver should also be well-positioned to capitalize on a turnover-prone Toronto rotation (46 turnovers in the past two games) that is missing Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown and likely will also be without Immanuel Quickley again tonight.

The Nuggets have won five of the last seven meetings between these teams, and I’m betting on a comfortable road win here.

Raptors vs Nuggets parlay in same game (SGP)

Nuggets -7.5

Nikola Jokic Over 8.5 assists

Scottie Barnes Under 20.5 points

I’m doubling down on an efficient night for the Denver offense by adding Over on Jokic’s assists plug to my SGP.

It’s too much to ask Jakob Poeltl or Chris Boucher to guard Jokic straight up, so it’s inevitable that the Raptors will have to send double teams when Joker lines up on the block — and that should mean open looks for the team’s best shooter, Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Jokic had 13 dimes in the season opener, and the stage is set for another double-digit assist night, even as the second unit’s streaky shooting continues. Additionally, I don’t foresee a repeat of the 26 field goal attempts that Joker tallied on Saturday.

I also got hold of a Scottie Barnes prop. Barnes has been given the keys to the Toronto offense, but he looked too passive at times in the first week, when the Raptors needed him to fill the void left by the injuries to Quickley and RJ Barrett.

While he’s capable of moving to the rim against most wing guards, Barnes has been held to 20 points or fewer in two of his three outings so far, including a nine-point dud in the season opener.

That brings me to Under on his point plug here. Barnes heads into a tough matchup against Aaron Gordon, and Barrett’s possible return from a shoulder problem could take a few touches away from him as well.

There’s also blowout potential with this clash, which could put a dent in Barnes’ minutes.

Learn how to bet on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Raptors vs Nuggets odds

Raptors vs Nuggets live odds

Get the latest Raptors vs Nuggets NBA odds.

Raptors vs Nuggets opening odds

• Spread: Toronto +7.5 | Denver -7.5
• Moneyline: Toronto +277 | Denver -325
• Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Below 219.5

Raptors vs Nuggets spread and Over/Under analysis

• The Raptors are significant home underdogs tonight and have lost six of their last seven games dating back to last season.
• This is the Nuggets’ first road trip of the new season, and they went 24-17 on their travels in the 2023-24 campaign.
• Denver won 113-104 in Toronto last year, seeing the Under cash, but the Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these teams.
• Even with Jokic’s elite play, the 4Q Under is 52-34 in the Nuggets’ last 86 contests.

Raptors vs Nuggets trend

Despite the Raptors’ inconsistent offense, Over has been a winning ticket in each of their last seven home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Nuggets.

Raptors vs Nuggets game information

Raptors vs Nuggets latest injuries

Pages related to this topic