The San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets will face off with each other in an important game for both teams. One seeks to get closer to confirming a play-in spot, while the other is trying to maintain a top five seed.
Catch this game live on April 6, at 9:00 AM, Manila time.
Away: San Antonio Spurs (33-45, 17-21 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Tre Jones
- SG: Devin Vassell
- SF: Keldon Johnson
- PF: Zach Collins
- C: Jakob Poetl
The San Antonio Spurs have put themselves in a strong position to outlast the Lakers in the race for the tenth seed and the final spot in the play-in tournament, but face a stiff test in the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs have gone 7-3 over their last 10 games and are currently riding a two-game winning streak.
They will be fighting an uphill battle though, as Dejounte Murray continues to sit out due to an illness, and will miss the game against the Nuggets. Murray averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists over his last eight contests before joining the injured list, and that kind of production is hard to replace.
They will have Keldon Johnson still available, who has averaged 22.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists during the Spurs’ last 10 games, but he may not be able to do it alone. They’ll need youngsters like Tre Jones, who had 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting in his last game, to step up again. The Spurs are currently down 1-2 in the season series, but they should never be counted out.
On the plus side, they’ll be getting Jakob Poetl back as well.
San Antonio are 17-12 ATS as away underdogs this season. They’re 38-38-2 on the over/under.
Home: Denver Nuggets (47-32, 22-116 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Monte Morris
- SG: Will Barton
- SF: Aaron Gordon
- PF: JaMychal Green
- C: Nikola Jokic
The Nuggets leaned heavily on their starters in their last game against the LA Lakers. As usual, Nikola Jokic led the way with 38 points, 18 rebounds and six assists. However, Aaron Gordon and Will Barton also combined for 49 points.
The Nuggets have the stronger roster, and also have a lot to play for, as they’re in a tight race for the fifth seed with the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets are half a game ahead, but must finish with the stronger record since they were swept 4-0 in the season series.
Then again, it’s hard to count out any squad that features Jokic, and the Spurs’ defense may not have an answer for him. They’ve also got DeMarcus Cousins to throw at the Spurs’ big men, and he’s been effective in limited minutes.
The Nuggets are 12-19-0 ATS as home favorites this season. Their over/under record so far this season is 44-33-2.
PREDICTION:
Spread: I think the Nuggets likely win, but the Spurs will fight hard enough to keep the game close and cover the +8 spread.
Over/Under: I like the over 235 for this game.
