Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trailblazers Prediction: Injury Report, Starting 5s, Betting Odds, and Spreads - December 8 | 2022/23 NBA Regular Season

The first-place Denver Nuggets travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Portland Trailblazers in a game of teams jockeying for playoff position. As always with the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic is the storyline.

The Denver Nugget big man is once again putting together an MVP-caliber season, and there are no signs of him slowing down.

After several seasons, the Portland Trailblazers have finally found a balance between their outside and inside game. Damian Lillard remains the on-court leader, but Lillard has plenty of help, so he doesn't have to carry the whole burden on his shoulders.

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trailblazers Details

Fixture: Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trailblazers

Date and Time: Thursday, December 8, 10:00 PM ET

Venue: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

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Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trailblazers Injury Report

The Denver Nuggets will be without wingman Michael Porter Jr. in this one, as the sensational shooter will miss this one with an injured heel. Collin Gillespie also remains out for this one with a lower leg issue.

The good news for the Nuggets is that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a probable with this with a right wrist sprain, but should be active and available to give the team a lift.

For the Trailblazers, Nassir Little is still battling a fracture on his hip and will remain out until the new year. SG Keon Johnson also has a hip issue and has been ruled out for Thursday Night's contest. Gary Payton II is dealing with an injury to his abdomen and will be out.

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Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trailblazers Injury Report

PLAYERS	TEAMS	INJURY	STATUS
Michael Porter Jr.	Nuggets	Heel	Out
Collin Gillespie	Nuggets	Leg	Out
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	Nuggets	Wrist	Probable
Nassir Little	Trailblazers	Hip	Out
Keon Johnson	Trailblazers	Hip	Out
Gary Payton II	Trailblazers	Abdomen	Out

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trailblazers Betting Odds & Spreads

TEAMS	LINES	OVER/UNDER	MONEY LINE
Nuggets	+1 (-110)	O 228.5 (-110)	-105
Trailblazers	-1 (-110)	U 228.5 (-110)	-115

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trailblazers Starting 5s

Nuggets - PG Jamal Murray SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SF Bruce Brown PF Aaron Gordon C Nikola Jokic

Trailblazers - PG Damian Lillard SG Anfernee Simons SF Josh Hart PF Jerami Grant C Jusuf Nurkic

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trailblazers Betting Prediction

The Denver Nuggets lost some of their upside with Michael Porter Jr. out with an injured heel. The Portland Trailblazers have developed team chemistry quickly and are legitimate contenders for the first time in forever.

Can the Nuggets slow down Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons? I believe they can compete with the dynamic backcourt.

Can the Trailblazers slow down Nikola Jokic? An emphatic no. Jokic dominates once more and leads the Denver Nuggets to a road victory.

Prediction: Denver Nuggets +1 (-110) (O/U 228.5 -110)

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