Denver Nuggets at Brooklyn Nets Predictions 12/19/21

Denver Nuggets (15-14 SU, 13-16 ATS) vs. Brooklyn Nets (21-9 SU, 12-17-1 ATS)

When: Sunday December 19 2021, 07:30 PM (ET)

Where: Barclays Center: Brookyln, New York

TV: ALT

Point Spread: DEN -9/BRK +9 (MyBookie – Deposit $100 to $300 and get a 100% real cash bonus when you use promo/bonus code PREDICT100)

Total: 217

Money Line: Denver -376/Brooklyn +307)

Power Rating: OFF

Probable Starting Lineups

Nuggets: PG Monte Morris, SG Will Barton, SF Aaron Gordon, PF Jeff Green, C Nikola Jokic

Nets: PG David Duke Jr, SG Patty Mills, SF Kessler Edwards, PF Blake Griffin, C Unknown

Key Injuries

Nuggets
Bol Bol: illness (OUT) PJ Dozier: knee (OUT) JaMychal Green: ankle (QUESTIONABLE) Markus Howard: knee (QUESTIONABLE) Jamal Murray: knee (OUT) Michael Porter Jr.: back (OUT)

Nets
DeAndre’ Bembry: illness (OUT) Bruce Brown: illness (OUT) Jevon Carter: illness (OUT) Nicolas Claxton: wrist (QUESTIONABLE) Kevin Durant: ankle (OUT) James Harden: illness (OUT) Joe Harris: ankle (QUESTIONABLE) Kyrie Irving: personal (OUT) James Johnson: illness (OUT) Paul Millsap: illness (OUT) Day’Ron Sharpe: illness (OUT)

Recent Form

The Denver Nuggets enter today’s game, having won six of their past ten games. When playing away from home, the Nuggets have won at a rate slightly below .500, having gone 7-9. As the road team, Denver travels to Brooklyn with a negative plus-minus of rating -2.1 points. Overall the Nuggets are ranked 15th among NBA teams in point differential (3.7). Among NBA teams, they have played the 4th toughest schedule.

For bettors, taking the Denver Nuggets to cover the spread has been a losing bet as they have covered in 44.80% of their games.
Their season-long plus-minus against the spread is 0.3.

On offense, the team’s leading scorer is C Nikola Jokic. So far, Jokic is averaging 26.29 points per game. Jokic has also been in charge of cleaning up the glass, hauling in 13.46 boards per game. This output places him 1st among Centers. The Nuggets’ best three-point shooter has been Will Barton, connecting on 2.44 shots from downtown per game.

The Brooklyn Nets enter today’s game, winning seven of their past ten games. When playing at home, the Nets are an above .500 team, having gone 10-6. As they get set to host the Nuggets, Brooklyn has a positive home plus-minus of 1.4 points. Overall the Nets are ranked 5th among NBA teams in point differential (4.8). So far, they have benefited from playing the 4th easiest schedule.

For bettors, taking the Brooklyn Nets to cover the spread has been a losing bet as they have covered in 41.40% of their games.
Their season-long plus-minus against the spread is -1.5.

An Eye On Pace

Coming into this game, the Denver Nuggets are ranked 24th in pace, averaging 96.7 possessions per game. Their preference to play at a slow tempo is most displayed in their lack of free-throw opportunities. Among NBA teams, they have had the fewest trips to the line. On the other side, the Brooklyn Nets are ranked 8th in possessions per game. However, with most of their key players being out with COVID, it will be up to a makeshift group of players to continue playing this up-tempo style.

Matchups And Efficiencies

When looking at who the Nets have left available to play, it appears that Patty Mills and Blake Griffen will have to pick up the offensive scoring load. Denver will enter this contest without any players on the Health And Safety Protocols list, giving them a clear advantage. Look for Nikola Jokic to have a big scoring night as Brooklyn won’t have the personnel to hang with the big man.

The Historicals

Tonight’s matchup will be the first meeting of the season between the Nuggets and Nets. Last year, the two teams met up twice, with Brooklyn winning both contests.

How the Public is Betting the Nuggets vs. Nets

Unknown% are betting the Nuggets against the spread.

Unknown% are wagering on the game to go Over the posted total of OFF

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The total has gone OVER in five of Denver’s last five games
• The total has gone OVER in 10 of Denver’s last 11 games on the road
• Brooklyn is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games when playing at home against Denver
• Brooklyn is 6-1 SU in its last seven games when playing at home against Denver

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

With the Brooklyn Nets roster being severely depleted due to COVID 19, look for Denver to overwhelm a Nets group of players just looking to keep things together until their teammates are healthy and able to return.

Prop Bets Worth Wagering

Look for Nikola Jokic to lead the Nuggets with a big scoring night. The reigning MVP should get whatever he wants inside, leading to efficient shooting performance. I expect Jokic to flirt with a 30-point game with continuing with his usual rebounding and assist output. Note: Don’t forget to check out today’s NFL picks!