Nuggets vs. Blazers Odds: Game 4 Preview, Picks, & Predictions
The Denver Nuggets have won two playoff games in a row, but NBA bettors are taking a liking to the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4. Can the Blazers even up the series on Saturday or will they continue to struggle with matchup problems inside the paint? Here’s a closer look at Nuggets vs. Blazers odds, picks, and predictions for Saturday, May 29, 2021.
Nuggets vs. Blazers Game 4 Odds
| Series Record | Nuggets 2-1 |
| Nuggets Updated Odds to Win Series | -200 |
| Blazers Updated Odds to Win Series | +165 |
| Nuggets Game 4 Odds | +4 |
| Blazers Game 4 Odds | -4 |
| Moneyline | +140/-167 |
| Time | 4 p.m. ET |
| Arena | Moda Center |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| TV | TNT |
Nuggets vs. Blazers Preview
The Nuggets-Blazers game finished just like we thought it would Thursday night.
I didn’t have the gall to bet Nuggets moneyline, but as I wrote at the time, I thought the Nuggets had a significant matchup advantage and that it was smart to bet on Denver with the points. Heading into Nuggets vs. Blazers Game 4 on Saturday, not much has changed.
The Trail Blazers opened as 3.5-point favorites despite dropping two consecutive games to the Nuggets. Much like Thursday, the spread has moved a half-point across online sportsbooks, making the Blazers -4 with less than 24 hours before Game 4 tips off.
As of Friday night, a whopping 85% of the betting handle is backing the Trail Blazers to cover the 4-point spread and evening the series 2-2. And once again, I think these NBA bettors are mistaken.
Nuggets vs. Blazers Picks & Predictions
Yes, the Blazers have Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, who at times look unstoppable, but what they don’t have is anyone with the defensive capabilities to slow the Nuggets down low.
Portland gave up 52 points in the paint during Game 1, then followed up by allowing the Nuggets to score 54 in Game 2. Game 3 was by far their best performance inside, as they managed to outscore the Nuggets 50-30 in the paint. Still, that wasn’t good enough for the victory. The Nuggets didn’t have to score inside in Game 3 because they were making everything outside (by “everything,” I really mean they went 20-for-38 from behind the arc, good for 52.6%).
Basically, the Nuggets proved capable of beating the Blazers from outside, and when their shot isn’t falling, they can hammer it inside and score with consistency from the post via Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
The Blazers, on the other hand, are demanding ridiculous performances from Damian Lillard just to keep pace. Lillard routinely answers, but 42-point and 37-point performances, respectively, haven’t been enough to get the Blazers over the hump in his last two games.
The Blazers can ask little more of Lillard — he’s giving it his all, and he’s scoring with efficiency. Lillard went 15-for-31 Thursday night, shooting a ridiculous 48.4% from the field. Before that, Lillard scored 42 points while shooting 45.8%. The one game Portland managed to win this series was Lillard’s worst (34 points, 41.7%). The fact is, the Blazers do not match up well with Jokic and the Nuggets. Unfortunately for Portland fans and bettors, that fact isn’t going to change between now and 4:30 p.m ET Saturday.
Also remember that the Portland Trail Blazers’ home-court advantage isn’t the kind of home-court advantage we’ve seen elsewhere during the NBA Playoffs. The Blazers were the last team to allow fans in their arena during the regular season. They increased capacity for the playoffs, but not as much as other teams. On Saturday, there will be only 8,000 spectators cheering the Blazers on inside the Moda Center during Game 4.
Nuggets vs. Blazers GM 4 Pick: Nuggets +4 at BetMGM
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For in-depth player prop analysis and more NBA betting picks, check out our friends at ScoresAndOdds. They’re covering the sports betting scene every day with their best bets for the NBA Playoffs and more!
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