NBA NW: Nuggets Aim For Ninth Straight Win
As one of the most competitive conferences in the NBA, the Northwest Division of the Western Conference always has big teams on display with a lot at stake. Four out of the five teams in the division are currently vying for Western Conference playoff spots and two of those teams will be in action today, both on the road. The Denver Nuggets (32-18) will aim for their ninth consecutive victory today as they travel to Cleveland to play a surprisingly hot Cavs team, while the Utah Jazz (28-23) look to end their road woes against the Kings. Here’s a look at both match-ups.
Denver Nuggets -6 at Cleveland Cavaliers +6
Although the Nuggets have certainly put themselves in great playoff position with 30 games left in the season, they would love nothing more than to extend their current winning streak to double digits as they take on one of the East’s worst teams on the road. However, with the way the Cavs are playing at the moment, it’s hard to consider them one of the worst in the East, since they have won seven of their last 10 games, including the last three in a row.
Denver has been lights out at home (22-3), but has struggled mightily on the road (10-15) this season, while the Cavs have struggled everywhere, but have fared better on their home floor (9-13). The game is expected to be played at a break-neck pace as both teams boast young talented lineups that love to get out and run. Cleveland is averaging 97 points per game, while the Nuggets are near the top of the league at 104.7 points per contest. And neither team plays much defense, as each squad allows more than 100 per game.
Although Denver has a clear advantage with the better team, the style with which both teams want to play and the fact that Denver is on the road should even things out quite a bit, leading me to like the Cavs to cover +6 in a very close home loss today.
Utah Jazz -1 at Sacramento Kings +1
Like the Nuggets, the Jazz are a completely different team away from home, but also like the Nuggets, the Jazz will still be a favorite on the road today against a far inferior opponent in the Sacramento Kings.
These teams will be meeting for the fourth and final time this season today, with the Jazz winning two of the first three battles. However, the last time the Kings did prevail when they were at home against Utah on Nov. 24.
Look for the Jazz to earn the win and easily cover -1 on the road today.
