The Denver Nuggets (32-26) will have their hands full against the NBA’s top scoring defense when they meet the San Antonio Spurs (35-24) at Pepsi Center. The game can be seen on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, February 23, 2018.
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets ATS Prediction
In the Nuggets’ last game, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 134-123. Denver’s 0.694 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Milwaukee, who had a rate of 0.582. The Nuggets’ mark was above their season average of 0.528. With 30 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver with his fourth triple-double of the year.
The Spurs’ last game was against the Nuggets. The two teams combined to score 226 points in that game, which was well over the projected point total of 208.5. The Nuggets won 117-109, covering as 7-point underdogs. Denver had a much better turnover percentage (9.8 vs. 16.4). San Antonio, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (29.4 vs. 25.6). Jokic put up a triple-double in the victory, with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. With the win, the Spurs now lead the season series against the Nuggets two games to one.
Points at the line might be few and far between for Denver in this meeting. The Nuggets rank 18th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.190, while San Antonio ranks second in FTA rate allowed (0.167).
San Antonio comes into the contest with records of 35-24 straight up (SU) and 29-26-4 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Spurs’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Denver owns records of 32-26 SU and 28-27-3 ATS. Coinciding with San Antonio, Nuggets games have a slight tendency to go under the projected point total (53.4 percent).
Nikola Jokic has averaged 18.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Denver.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
San Antonio is 12-16-3 ATS on the road with 18 unders, 12 overs and 1 push.
At home, Denver is 17-12-1 ATS with 17 unders and 13 overs.
When holding opponents below 100 points, San Antonio is 23-10 and Denver is 13-2.
The Spurs are 28-6 when they score more than 100 points, while the Nuggets are 26-17.
San Antonio ranks sixth in assists allowed per game (21.1) while Denver ranks 26th (24.4).
The Spurs rank 11th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.7) while the Nuggets rank 28th (18.9).
Denver ranks ninth in three pointers attempted per game (30.4) while San Antonio ranks 25th (24.6).
The Nuggets rank fourth in points in the paint per game (48.6) while the Spurs rank 20th (42.8).
San Antonio ranks third in blocks per game (5.5) while Denver ranks 18th (4.6).
The Nuggets rank second in second chance points allowed per game (9.9) while the Spurs rank 12th (11.7).
Denver averages 13.7 fast break points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. San Antonio ranks 14th in fast break points allowed per game (11.5).
The Nuggets rank first in rebounds allowed per game (40.9) while the Spurs rank seventh (42.0).
San Antonio ranks 18th in steals per game (7.3) while Denver ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, San Antonio is 2-3 ATS with 5 overs.
Denver is 4-1 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Spurs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 3.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 119.8 points per game (11.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 115.8 points per game (9.0 above their season average).
