Washington Wizards vs Denver Nuggets Prediction

Washington Wizards vs Denver Nuggets Prediction

After a 131-119 win against Houston on Tuesday, the Washington Wizards (8-17) go in search of their third successive victory - for what would be a first time this season - when hosting an understaffed Denver Nuggets team (15-12) next in a cross-conference clash overnight.

With a tricky four-game road trip to come, can they finish their home slate on a high here? Read my basketball preview, for the best betting odds ahead of this compelling H2H matchup.

Washington Wizards vs Denver Nuggets Preview

Denver suffered a 112-99 away defeat by the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, though that's unsurprising considering the key rotational pieces Michael Malone was missing before a cross-conference matchup.

Monte Morris (shoulder) recorded his first absence of the campaign after being listed as questionable on the injury report. At the same time, Gary Harris (thigh), PJ Dozier (hamstring), Will Barton (personal) and Paul Millsap (knee) also featured on a stacked inactive list.

That's perhaps why, despite MVP candidate Nikola Jokic recording 43 points, six rebounds and five assists on 16-of-23 shooting, they left empty-handed - not exactly helped by Michael Porter Jr offseason acquisition Jamychal Green combining for just two points on 1-of-15 shooting (0-of-7 from three).

Denver's hosts here, Bradley Beal scored 37 points to lead his Wizards against ex-teammate John Wall and Houston. On the exciting duel, the league-leading scorer said:

"Even tonight, we're pushing each other, telling each other to be better, guarding each other. It's just competitive. It's just our nature.

It's a beautiful thing. I'm definitely looking forward to competing against him for the rest of my career, as crazy as that may sound."

Wall, traded three weeks before the season for Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick, had season highs of 29 points and 11 assists for the Rockets, who missed Eric Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Christian Wood and P.J. Tucker.

Westbrook recorded 16 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds for his sixth triple-double of the season — his first in a Wizards win — and 152nd of his career. In what was largely an inefficient display from the former MVP, he finally featured on back-to-back matchdays for the first time this season. On that, he said:

"When I'm watching, I'm learning. I don't just sit there for kicks and giggles. I'm able to see my teammates in a different light, see different things and apply it when I get back on the floor."

Davis Bertans added 18 points with 5-of-6 three-point shooting for Washington, as the heavily-criticised SF picked the right night to produce one of his more efficient nights of the campaign.

Washington Wizards vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tips

ESPN's BPI is firmly backing Denver to win away from home comforts in this one (69.6%), and considering how unreliable a struggling Wizards team has been this season, it's no surprise.

After eye-catching victories against Boston and Houston, you can't help but wonder how long Scott Brooks' players can continue winning games many don't expect them too.

This one would be another: Denver have some players missing, but it's not as though their hosts are at full strength either - Thomas Bryant (ACL) and Ish Smith (quad), while Westbrook's rest-management remains uncertain after he played the second of a back-to-back slate last weekend.

However, I expect another Nuggets win with improved numbers from Porter Jr and Green - averaging a combined 23 points per game this term, not their paltry two from the previous loss.