Raptors & Nuggets Looking to Rebound From Disappointing Losses as Denver Favored by 4 at Home

• The Raptors and Nuggets will meet on Sunday, marking their first contest since December of 2018
• Both teams are coming off losses on Friday night
• Get the odds, pick, and betting preview for Sunday’s game below

The Toronto Raptors will travel to the Pepsi Center to take on the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, March 1st, tipping off at 6pm ET. The Raptors vs Nuggets odds have Denver, 21-7 at home this season, as 4-point favorites. Toronto will be looking to break a two-game losing skid, having lost to Charlotte and the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the week.

Denver suffered a 29-point loss to the LA Clippers on Friday and will be looking to get back into the win column on Sunday.

These two teams haven’t met since early last season, with the Nuggets winning both contests in December of 2018 against the defending NBA champions.

Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets Odds

*Odds from Feb 29

Toronto Looking to Get Back Into Rhythm

Before the All-Star break, Nick Nurse’s team was absolutely outstanding, going on a 15-game winning streak. Since the second half has started though, the Raps are just 2-2. Their bench unit, consisting of Terence Davis, Chris Boucher, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, among others, have been solid this year but struggled in their last few games, which has definitely played a part in their recent defeats.

With Boston just a half-game behind them right now, every game is important if Toronto wants to lock down second place in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. With the exception of this contest with the Nuggets on Sunday, Toronto’s next five of six games after that are against teams that are out of playoff contention, so they should be able to rack up some victories. But playing good teams hasn’t been a problem this season for them, with wins over the Lakers, Boston, and Philly on two separate occasions.

Pascal Siakam continues to solidify himself as one of the league’s brightest stars, leading the NBA champs with 23.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per night. Toronto could be without rising star Fred VanVleet on Sunday, along with Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, who are all battling minor injuries.

Can Denver Lock Down Second Place in West?

The Nuggets are enjoying yet another impressive campaign after finishing at 54-28 last season, which was second in the Western Conference. This year, Denver is currently 40-19, tied for second with Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. They suffered an embarrassing one-sided 132-103 loss to the Clips on Friday night. They’re 6-4 in their last 10 contests, including wins over Portland and Utah.

The electric duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray continues to impress for Mike Malone’s squad. Denver’s big man is arguably the most versatile center in the game, blessed with the ability to facilitate the rock like a guard while being an unstoppable force around the rim.

Jokic leads the Nuggets with 20.8 points, 10 boards, and 6.7 assists per game. Murray meanwhile, is putting up 18.7 points per contest and dishing out 4.8 dimes. Since the All-Star break, Denver is shooting a very respectable 52.4% from the field.

Toronto Will Come Out on Top

Even though the Nuggets beat Toronto in both meetings last season, I believe the Raps are going to march into the Pepsi Center and grab a much-needed win. They’ve only lost three consecutive times once this season, back in early December. Coming off a very underwhelming defeat to a team of Charlotte’s caliber, Toronto will be hungry to get a win on Sunday.

It will be a close contest, but the Raps should come out victorious.

The pick: Raptors +4 .0 (-110) and ML (+150)