76ers vs Nuggets Odds, Picks and Predictions

• The Denver Nuggets look for their sixth straight home win against ailing 76ers
• Philadelphia has lost five straight since losing Joel Embiid (COVID)
• The odds and matchups can be found below with a prediction

After a quick one-game getaway that ended in a loss, the Denver Nuggets are happy to return home to Ball Arena, where they look for their sixth straight win.

For their opponent Thursday night, the Philadelphia Sixers, they’ll be happy with any win, as they’ve dropped five in a row — all coinciding with the loss of Joel Embiid, who is out with COVID. Counting off the mandatory 10-day quarantine, the big man is eligible to return against the Nuggets, but he is symptomatic and likely will miss the entire 6-game road trip.

Denver is a strong 8-point home favorite in this matchup, which tips off at 9pm ET, and can be seen on NBA TV.

76ers vs Nuggets Odds

Odds as of Nov 17 at FanDuel

Injury Report

Aside from Embiid, the Sixers feature a hefty walking wounded list.

Danny Green will miss Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury, and he’ll be joined by reserve Matisse Thybulle, who’s also in the COVID health and safety protocol.

Asked Doc Rivers for an update on Matisse Thybulle and Joel Embiid before the game. Said Thybulle needs to get the right date, Embiid needs two negative tests.

Full answer below. pic.twitter.com/VdVjq3SaOx

— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) November 17, 2021

There’s also the ongoing Ben Simmons saga, which isn’t ending anytime soon.

Denver has notable absences as well, with Michael Porter Jr (back) out for an extended period, while Will Barton is day-to-day dealing with a back ailment.

The Nuggets are also still awaiting the return of Jamal Murray, who has yet to play this year as he recovers from an ACL injury.

76ers’ Recent Results

That 8-2 run to start the year for Philadelphia is a distant memory. Five straight losses will do that you.  The latest was a 120-85 evisceration in Utah against the Jazz, their second straight loss on this extended road trip.

Since a 103-96 loss at the start of this skid, the 76ers have been porous defensively, surrendering at least 115 points in the last four games.

Tyrese Maxey Full Highlight Reel I 16 points, 2/4 from 3 I Sixers vs Jazz

Maxey is now shooting 42% from 3 on 3.3 attempts per game, he's only had 1 game this season where he scored 9 points or less, & he's had only 6 TOs in the last 8 games#Sixers #HereTheyCome #TyreseMaxey pic.twitter.com/utm5qYURpo

— MRCROCKPOT TPL (@mrcrockpot) November 17, 2021

As you can imagine, things haven’t been going great on the offensive end either. Philly is putting up 102.4 points per game during this slide, while shooting just 40.8% from the field and 33.1% from deep.

If there is a bright spot, it’s the rapid development of guard Tyrese Maxey. The second-year man is putting up 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game since Embiid’s been out.

Nuggets’ Recent Results

Denver is coming off a 111-101 loss in Dallas Monday night, snapping a five-game winning streak. They were led as usual by reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who put up 35 points, 16 boards, six assists and two blocks.

Things got out of hand to start the fourth quarter, when the Mavericks went with a four-guard lineup and proceeded to outscore the Nuggets 17-6 to build a 10-point lead that the visitors wouldn’t recover from.

"Nikola Jokic nearly did it all by himself."

35 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists on the night.@nuggets | @VicLombardi | @BillHanzlik | #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/HaxHxHy1OK

— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) November 16, 2021

Denver had been getting it done on defense, as this was the first time in six games they’d allowed an opponent to score over 100 points. The Nuggets lead the NBA in scoring D, surrendering just 98.9 points a contest — the only team in the NBA to keep opponents under the century mark.

76ers vs Nuggets Trends

It’s going to be hard to come across points for the 76ers. Denver defends the three-ball at the league’s 7th-best rate, and they limit the opposition to the 7th-fewest rebounds per game, which takes away crucial second-chance opportunities.

Denver is also a tough place to play. The Nuggets are 7-1 at home, and teams average only 93.6 points per game, with teams shooting 42.8% from the field and 28.6 from three-point range.

"I think he's an All-NBA, All-Defense player."@Double0AG has been locked in this season 🔒 pic.twitter.com/t4YDfWENbE

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 17, 2021

The 76ers are 4-3 on the road, but 0-2 without Embiid. They are 7-8 ATS on the season, but 2-6 ATS as a betting underdog. They have failed to cover the lone game this year where they were playing as at least 8-point ‘dogs.

The Nuggets are an even 7-7 ATS on the season, and a slight improvement of 5-3 ATS as the home team. However, they have failed to cover twice this year when playing as at least 8-point favorites.

76ers vs Nuggets Betting Prediction

This one has the potential to get really ugly in the Mile-High atmosphere.

Jokic is by far the best player on the floor, and he’ll be able to dictate tempo and pace, while going to work on Andre Drummond or anyone else Philly tries to throw at him.

A lack of talent on their roster makes it hard to consider the 76ers to cover, even with that ample 8-point spread.

The Pick: Nuggets -8 (-110)