The Denver Nuggets (35-21) and Portland Trail Blazers (27-29) will meet in the NBA on Friday night. Tipoff from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon is set for 10:00 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on KUNP.
The Nuggets are 1.5-point favorites over the Blazers on the spread (Nuggets -1.5), with the over/under set at 241.5 total points. Denver is a -118 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Portland is -102 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 20.
Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Picks
- Nuggets vs Trail Blazers pick: Trail Blazers First Half Moneyline (+100)
My Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets best bet is on Portland to win the first half at +100. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Nuggets vs Trail Blazers NBA Friday Odds
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 241.5 -108o / -112u | -118 |
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 241.5 -108o / -112u | -102 |
Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Preview
The Nuggets have won only four of their last 10 contests and will play the second game of a back-to-back tonight.
The Nuggets are coming off a loss in Los Angeles against the Clippers last night, and now they travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers, who perform much better at home (16-13) than on the road (11-16).
The Blazers have won their last three games at Moda Center, with two of those coming against the Grizzlies (twice) and one against the 76ers.
Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon will be sidelined for Denver.
Shaedon Sharpe is out for Portland, while teammates Kris Murray and Matisse Thybulle are listed as questionable.
Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Betting Predictions
Our Bet Labs system titled "First Half 'Dog vs Coasting Teams" recommends backing the home team early.
This NBA system focuses on first-half moneyline opportunities in which strong teams often start slowly against inferior opponents.
During the regular season, underdogs with modest Pythagorean ratings like the Blazers face elite opponents with high win records who may be pacing themselves or conserving energy early in games.
These matchups frequently occur when the superior team is in cruise control, relying on second-half adjustments rather than urgency in the opening quarters.
Meanwhile, the underdog typically plays with early intensity and effort, creating value in short-term situations before talent disparity takes over.
By isolating first halves against top competition, this system leverages motivational imbalances and situational focus to identify profitable early-game edges.
So, let's back Portland on the first half moneyline tonight.
Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Best Bet
- Trail Blazers First Half Moneyline (+100)
Spread
We will not be betting either side of the spread tonight.
Moneyline
Our Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets betting prediction is on the Blazers' first half moneyline at +100.
Over/Under
No play on the total for this game.
