Are you paying attention to the Denver Nuggets yet? The Nuggets are off to their best start in 42 years and will look to add another triumph to the win column at home against the Utah Jazz on Saturday. Denver’s 7-1 SU run to open the campaign is the franchise’s top start since 1976-77. Sportsbooks opened the Jazz as 5-point underdogs with a total of 209.
- The OVER is 4-0 in the Jazz's last four games.
- The home team is 8-0 ATS in the last eight meetings between the Jazz and Nuggets.
- The Jazz are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings with the Nuggets in Denver.
Can the Nuggets’ keep up their red-hot pace?
Denver has won three consecutive games after routing Cleveland 110-91 on Thursday, as Juancho Hernangomez scored a season-high 23 points after entering the contest with only 22 on the year. Hernangomez knocked down five 3-pointers to pace the Nuggets in points in the victory. The Nuggets have straight-up dominated the Jazz in the Mile High City, winning each of their last four vs the Jazz in Denver.
Utah star guard Donovan Mitchell will be a game-time decision in this one after he missed Friday’s 110-100 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies. Mitchell averaged 26.5 points over his past four games and is averaging 23.3 overall in 2018-19. Rookie guard Grayson Allen made his first career start with Mitchell out and scored nine points in 27 minutes. Ricky Rubio scored 22 points against the Grizzlies and has topped 20 in two of the past six games - and scored six or fewer in each of the other four.
Betting the Jazz in this spot carries some risk
Dating back to last season, the Jazz simply haven’t been a reliable wager when playing in the second half of a back to back set. The Jazz are a paltry 1-5 ATS in their past six games when playing on no days rest. Home court advantage has been massive in this series, however, as home sides are 8-0 ATS in the last eight matchups between the Jazz and Nuggets.
Totals bettors will want to pay close attention to this one. The OVER has paid out in each of Utah’s past four games, and the OVER is also 6-1 in the Jazz’s last seven road games. The OVER is also 5-1 in Utah’s last six tilts after allowing 100 points or more in its previous game.
My pick: take the Nuggets at home
The Nuggets' red-hot start to the season has been something to behold, and I'm not about to start fading them now. I like the -5 number for Denver as it is, but the Nuggets spread is going to be even more attractive if Mitchell can't go.
