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Trail Blazers 4-Point Underdogs vs Nuggets as Damian Lillard Looks to Extend Historic Scoring Streak

Quinn Allen

by Quinn Allen in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 13, 2020 · 3:01 PM PDT

Damian Lillard walking off court
Dame Lillard looks to continue his historic offensive performances in Denver tonight. Photo from Wiki Commons.
  • Denver welcomes the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers to the Pepsi Center on Tuesday night
  • Portland has won four straight behind Damian Lillard’s historic scoring run
  • Get the odds, pick, and betting preview below

Portland will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Tuesday, with tip-off at 9 PM EST.

The last time these two teams met, The Nuggets won convincingly, 114-99. But with the Blazers on a four-game winning streak against the likes of the Lakers, Pacers, Rockets, and Jazz, this contest on Tuesday should be a much tighter affair.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Portland Trail Blazers +4.5 (-110) +165 Ov 224(-110)
Denver Nuggets -4.5 (-110) -190 Un 224(-110)

Odds taken Feb 4th

Given Portland’s resurgence lately in the Western Conference, Denver are favored by just 4.5 points in the Trail Blazers vs Nuggets odds.

Lillard on Historic Offensive Run

Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is currently making NBA history, averaging a mind-boggling 48.8 points over the last six games. He’s now scored 50-points on four separate occasions this year with three of those 50-point nights coming in his last six games after dropping another 51 on Saturday night in a win over the Utah Jazz.

But it gets better.

Lillard has sunk 49 threes, the most by any player in NBA history during a span of six contests. He’s also been outstanding from a playmaking standpoint, handing out 10.2 assists, making him the first player ever in the history of the association to average at least 45 and 10 in a six-game span.

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Carmelo Anthony and CJ McCollum have also played a huge part in their recent success, both scoring 15.6 and 21.4 points per contest this season, respectively. It’s unlikely that Lillard will continue to average in the high 40’s, but it’s evident that if this team plays as a whole, they can beat some of the best teams in the Western Conference. They’re currently just a game and a half out of a playoff spot.

Nuggets Enjoying Impressive Campaign

Denver is once again having a solid year, currently 34-16, which puts them third in the Western Conference behind the two LA teams. Nikola Jokic continues to solidify himself as one of the most versatile and impressive bigs in the game, leading Denver in numerous categories.

He’s averaging 20.2 points, ten rebounds, and 6.7 assists – all team highs. Jamal Murray isn’t far behind with 17.6 points and 4.6 assists. These two have formed a fantastic partnership for Mike Malone, developing into the franchise duo in Denver.

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They’re just 6-4 in their last ten contests, coming off an OT loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Murray looks to be a game-time decision for Tuesday thanks to a minor ankle injury, so his absence will be felt if he doesn’t suit up.

Blazers Are Best Bet

With Lillard’s recent play and Murray possibly out for the Nuggets, I believe the Blazers are going to come out on top against their Western Conference counterparts. Portland continues to look better on a nightly basis and with Dame red-hot, the Trail Blazers should secure another victory against another solid team.

Pick: Portland +4.5 (-110)

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