In the aftermath of a heart-wrenching overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Toronto Raptors are gearing up for a formidable challenge against the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, on Monday night.
The Nuggets, who have been on a tear with an impressive 8-2 record in their last 10 games, currently stand second in the Western Conference, just a game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed.
Bet on Raptors vs. Nuggets
TOR +14.5
DEN -14.5
This matchup is crucial for the Nuggets as they aim to maintain their momentum and solidify their championship credentials, while the Raptors, amid their strategic efforts to secure a favourable draft position, face a valuable opportunity against one of the league’s elite teams.
Let’s look at the bet365 betting odds for this upcoming matchup:
Raptors vs. Nuggets odds
| Raptors Moneyline Odds | +800 |
| Nuggets Moneyline Odds | -1300 |
| Over/Under | 231 points (over -110, under -110) |
| Spread | Nuggets -14.5 (-115) |
| Time/Date | March 11, 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: SN1 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
All odds courtesy of 
About the Raptors (23-41 SU, 29-34-1 ATS, 33-31 o/u)
In an electrifying display of resilience and teamwork, the Raptors orchestrated a remarkable second-half resurgence against the odds in Portland. Trailing by double digits as the game approached its climax, the Raptors dug deep, channeling a collective determination that propelled them into an unexpected, but thoroughly deserved, overtime scenario.
Leading the Raptors was none other than Immanuel Quickley, whose leadership on the court was nothing short of inspirational with RJ Barrett being ruled out of the game as a late scratch due to illness. Quickley’s scoring prowess was on full display as he amassed a team-high 29 points, complemented by an impressive tally of seven assists. Not to be overshadowed, Gary Trent Jr. made his presence felt with a great performance, contributing 23 points to the Raptors’ cause. His all-around game was highlighted by grabbing five rebounds, dishing out three assists, and notching two steals. The contributions of Chris Boucher and Kelly Olynyk were equally vital in the Raptors’ collective effort. Boucher had an impactful performance characterized by 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and an imposing three blocks. Similarly, Olynyk had a similar stat line of 15 points, six rebounds, eight assists, along with two steals and two blocks.
Facing the Nuggets, the Raptors encounter a unique array of challenges due to the great defence the Nuggets play on a daily basis. The Nuggets are particularly strong against shooting guards, allowing the sixth-least points and the second-least three-pointers made to players in this position. This indicates a challenging matchup for Trent Jr., who may need to find alternative ways to impact the game due to these defensive constraints. Furthermore, the Nuggets excel in defending against small forwards, yielding the least points to this position, along with the third-least assists and the fifth-least rebounds. This defensive setup suggests Gradey Dick will face significant hurdles in scoring, distributing, and rebounding, necessitating a versatile approach to make his presence felt on the court.
About the Nuggets (44-20 SU, 29-33-2 ATS, 24-39-1 o/u)
Fresh off a commanding 21-point victory over the Utah Jazz, the Nuggets are poised to extend their winning streak as they host the depleted Raptors. The Nuggets’ recent victory was spearheaded by the formidable trio of Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Michael Porter Jr., who collectively dismantled the Jazz with their exceptional performances. Murray was particularly outstanding, leading the scoring charge with 37 points and contributing seven assists. Jokic contributed significantly with 26 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Porter Jr. added to the Nuggets’ offensive onslaught with 19 points, complemented by four rebounds and two assists. As they prepare to face a Raptors squad navigating through challenges, the Nuggets, fueled by the high-calibre play of their stars, aim to capitalize on their home-court advantage and continue their pursuit to the top of the Western Conference.
The Raptors continue to pose a formidable challenge to point guards, conceding the third-fewest points to players in this position across the league, which could present a significant hurdle for the Canadian Murray. Despite this defensive strength, Toronto’s vulnerability in allowing the second-most assists remains, suggesting that Murray might pivot successfully to a more playmaking-centric role, orchestrating the offence and facilitating for his teammates. Historically, the Raptors struggle against small forwards, and with their defence allowing the most points in the league to players in this position, as well as the second-most three-pointers, Michael Porter Jr. finds himself in an advantageous position to capitalize on these defensive gaps. Operating from the small forward slot, Porter Jr.’s sharpshooting abilities from the perimeter stand to significantly impact the game, exploiting Toronto’s notable weakness.
Jamal Murray over 7.5 assists
+115
Injury concerns
The Raptors have an extensive injury report ahead of this one while Denver’s is clean.
Betting trends
- The under is 15-7 in Denver’s last 22 games.
- Denver is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games.
- The over is 12-4 in Toronto’s last 16 road games.
- Toronto is 1-5 ATS in its last six games.
Player prop trends
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has scored no less than 11 points in six straight contests, averaging 13.6 per game during that span. He’s -115 to record over 10.5 points.
- Olynyk has a three-pointer in three straight games and six of his last seven. With Poeltl out, Olynyk will continue to play a more prominent role for the Raptors down the stretch. He’s a steep -200 to record over 0.5 threes, but this could be a useful leg of a parlay. The Canadian has also been an excellent source of steals recently, recording two or more in five consecutive contests. He’s +160 to record over 1.5 thefts.
Wagers to consider
- For reasons previously stated, take Murray over 7.5 assists: +110.
- Under 231 points: -110. This game is projected to be a Nuggets blowout, which means several key players should be resting down the stretch.
