The Denver Nuggets took back home court advantage on Saturday night when they delivered a 117-103 win in San Antonio over the Spurs to draw level in their Western Conference quarterfinal series at two games a piece. Nikola Jokic led the way with 29 points and 12 boards, and Jamal Murray chipped in 24 points. That was the first win by Denver in San Antonio since 2012, ending a 13-game regular season drought, and their first playoff win in San Antonio since April 22, 2007. Torrey Craig made a significant difference, starting instead of Will Barton and defending Derrick White, who had put up 36 for the Spurs in their Game 3 win. He went just 3 for 8 for 8 points in the Game 4 loss. LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs in Game 4 with 24 points and nine boards, and DeMar DeRozan scored 19 but was ejected in the fourth quarter after sailing a ball by a referee and into the stands in response to frustration on a call. Check out the NBA Playoffs odds for game 5 of the series.
Spurs vs Nuggets 2019 NBA Playoffs Betting Odds & Game 5 Preview
😤 @DeMar_DeRozan x #NBAPlayoffs 😤 🏀: (7) 2-2 (2) DEN, Game 5 ⏰: 9:30pm/et 📺: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/ZUj9V0c6it
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2019
- When: Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 9:30pm ET
- Where: Pepsi Center, Denver
- TV: NBA TV
- Radio: WOAI 1200 AM San Antonio / 92.5 FM Altitude Sports Denver
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- Opening NBA Odds: Denver -5.5, O/U 212
Why should you bet on San Antonio?
San Antonio has done the better job opening each game, leading after the first period in all four. They are averaging 106.8 points per game, shooting 47.5 percent from the floor. DeRozan has led the team with 23.3 points and 4.5 assists per game, and Aldridge has added 20.3 points per game and leads in rebounding with nine per contest. From downtown, the Spurs are shooting a respectable 35.3 percent for the series, but they are permitting 41.1 percent long-range shooting by the Nuggets.
San Antonio has only covered twice in their last eight contests against Western Conference foes. However, in their last 22 meetings with the Nuggets in Denver, the Spurs have covered 16 times. The Spurs jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first period in Game 4 before looking flat the rest of the way, and it’s hard to see them not responding in the right way. San Antonio has been the more consistent team so far in this series. Denver has the higher ceiling, but experience and coaching tend to trump youth as a series goes on.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Points/G: 111.7
- Field Goal %: 47.8
- 3-Point %: 39.2
- Free Throw %: 81.9
- Rebounds/G: 44.7
- Points/G: 110.0
- Field Goal %: 46.3
- 3-Point %: 35.9
- Free Throw %: 75.5
- Rebounds/G: 43.9
Why should you put your money on Denver?
Denver’s offense has played well over the series, averaging 108.8 points per game, led by Nikola Jokic, who is putting up 20.5 points and 11.8 boards. Jamal Murray is scoring 17.8 points and dishing out three assists per game. Gary Harris is also averaging double figures, and Paul Millsap, in addition to providing some postseason experience to the roster, is pulling down four boards per game. The three-point game has been solid for Denver, as we noticed earlier.
Some of the numbers look favorable for the Nuggets as well. They have won 8 of 10 at the Pepsi Center, thanks in part to the altitude advantage and in part to the raucous crowds that show up each night. Denver has covered in seven of their last 10 games played on two days’ rest but in just two of their last 11 Western Conference quarterfinal matchups. The real question here has to do with youth and energy against seasoning and leadership, and it’s hard to see Denver covering this spread against a Spurs team that just keeps coming, night after night.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Points/G: 110.7
- Field Goal %: 46.6
- 3-Point %: 35.1
- Free Throw %: 75.5
- Rebounds/G: 46.4
- Points/G: 106.7
- Field Goal %: 45.8
- 3-Point %: 33.9
- Free Throw %: 75.3
- Rebounds/G: 42.5
NBA Playoffs Betting Trends for San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets
- Spurs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a double-digit loss at home
- Spurs are 16-6 ATS in the last 22 meetings in Denver
- Spurs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous games
- Nuggets are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 Conference Quarterfinals games
- Nuggets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games versus a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
- Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
It’s hard to see Denver making it out of this series — they have a terrific young coach and a talented young roster, but San Antonio has just enough great players and Gregg Popovich running the show. I see the Spurs making the necessary adjustments in their game and taking Game 5 on the road, 111-108.
