Washington Wizards (24-24) +11, 209 at Denver Nuggets (29-19), 10:30 pm Eastern Friday, ESPN
by Zman of Predictem.com
The Denver Nuggets continue their pursuit of a Western Conference playoff spot when they host the slumping Washington Wizards in the back half of an NBA/ESPN double-header Friday night.
NBA betting boards list Denver as an 11-point home favorite for Friday's game, with a total of 209. The Nuggets are also listed at around -700 on the moneylines, with Washington getting +500 as road underdogs.
After falling to San Antonio Wednesday 85-77, the Wizards have now lost five games in a row, and have averaged just 87 point per over that span. Heading into this weekend's action, Washington sits in second place in the Southeast Division, 6 ½ games behind the first-place Orlando Magic. But the Wiz also own the six spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Denver had a three-game winning streak snapped by a 118-115 overtime loss to Utah Wednesday. So the Nuggets now trail the first-place Jazz by two games in the Northwest Division. Denver is also involved in a four-team scrum for the last two Western Conference playoff spots, where just one game separates the 7th-seeded Nuggets from the 10th- place Portland Trailblazers.
In the first meeting between these two teams this season, Denver shot 51% from the field on its way to pounding the Wizards in Washington 118-92 back on Nov. 9. The Nuggets used a 33-11 third quarter to take a 31-point lead, and the game managed to just sneak under its total of 211. Last season, these two teams split their two games, but both were played before Denver acquired guard Allen Iverson in a trade with Philadelphia.
Washington is 26-20 against the spread this season, 9-13 straight up and 12-10 vs. the numbers on the road. On the other side of this match-up, the Nuggets are 25-23 ATS this season, 20-6 SU and 15-11 vs. the numbers at home.
Statistically speaking, Denver ranks 13th in the league in point differential at +2.3 per game, while the Wizards rank 15th at +.3.
Washington is shooting 44% from the field this season, 34% from 3-point range and 80% from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are shooting 45% from the floor, 34% from long range and 76% from the line.
Also, the Wizards rank 12th in the league in rebounding at +1.1 boards per game, while Denver ranks 20th at -.8 per game.
On the injury front, Washington forward Caron Butler, who's averaging 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game this season, has missed four of the last six games with a hip problem. Butler is listed as both doubtful and questionable for Friday's game. Which doesn't bode well for the Wiz, who, over the past three seasons, are just 7-24 when Butler is out of action.
The Sagarin PREDICTOR ratings at USAToday.com ranks the Nuggets 12th at 91.9, the Wizards 16th at 89.2. Sagarin's current NBA home-court advantage figure is 3.0.
The o/u is 23-25 in Washington games this season, which are averaging 196 total points, while the totals are 25-23 in Denver games, which are averaging 211 points.
Zman's Pick: Denver -11.
Editor's Picks - Let us give you an assist so you can slam dunk your man with the boss's free daily predictions against the spread. ALWAYS FREE!
Expert Picks - Get free NBA picks from professional basketball prognosticators!
Underdog of the Day - Each day we attempt to hit from long range with one underdog selection from the day's pro basketball card.
Favorite of the Day - If we can find one we like, we'll post one favorite play each day. Forgive us for passing from time to time. We're not a huge fan of laying points!
Total of the Day - One of our favorite picks to make; the over/under. Coat-tail us daily on this one and expect a winning record and great long term profits as predicting total points is our forte.
Line Movement - Around 5pm EST each day, we highlight major line moves and try to determine if it's sharp action, public money or a key injury that's causing the fluctuation in the point spread. A daily must read!
Consensus Picks - First we find out who the betting public and squares are on. Then we compare this against the sharps. We shake it all out and if a play meets our parameters we post it! These picks will make your bookie cry!
NBA Trends - Great supporting information to help you make your daily predictions.
Sportsbook - Did you know that there's still online sports books that are able to get credit cards to work for deposits?
Skybook - Get a free half point on every basketball game you bet!
How What Who and When - We've got all the answers to commonly asked hoops related questions.
Top Rated Basketball Picks - Insider Sports report has been the Nation's #1 Sports Handicapping Service since 1989.