76ers vs Nuggets Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 1/21/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
PHILADELPHIA vs. DENVER (DEN -13.5, 228.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
76ERS @ NUGGETS 1/21/25
Facing an uphill battle, the Philadelphia 76ers are in a tough place right now, with no signs of immediate relief. Sunday's loss at Milwaukee saw eight Philadelphia players on the injury list, a situation that could potentially repeat itself tonight against the Denver Nuggets.
The Sixers, currently on a six-game losing streak, will miss Joel Embiid. He’s been out for weeks hile grappling with a swollen left knee. The 2022-23 MVP has not been a part of the three-game road trip culminating Tuesday evening. He is the team's second-highest scorer with an average of 24.4 points per match, but he has played in just 13 games this season.
Paul George and Guerschon Yabusele have sat out the last two games due to a groin and a knee injury respectively. Andre Drummond missed the Bucks' game due to a toe injury. All three players are questionable for tonight’s game.
These challenges have put Coach Nick Nurse in a tight spot, forcing him to juggle lineups each night. Nurse hasn’t had a single player who has appeared in all 41 Sixers games. Nevertheless, Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia's top scorer, is playing impressively, averaging 26.4 points per game while also leading in assists (5.8) and steals (2.0).
The Nuggets, on the other hand, have managed to turn the tide with six victories in their last seven games. They just finished up a clean sweep of their tour through Miami and Orlando. Nikola Jokic is pushing his bid for a fourth MVP award with one of his best performances to date. He is currently ranked third in NBA scoring (30.1 points per game), third in rebounding (13.2), and second in assists (9.9).
Jokic is the linchpin of Denver's offense, complemented by the increasing contribution from Jamal Murray, who averages 20.1 points per game and ranks second in scoring for the Nuggets. Murray, despite early season setbacks due to injuries and criticism over his max contract, is affirming the organization's faith in him by upping his scoring. Murray makes $52 million per season.
After Jokic and Murray, Michael Porter Jr. averages 18.2 points per game, Christian Braun 13.8, and Aaron Gordon 13.3. The Nuggets and 76ers will play again on Jan. 31 in Philadelphia.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
NIKOLA JOKIC UNDER 48.5 PRA
Jokic could go off against a Joel Embiid-less Philly team, but he might not play enough minutes to get to this prop. While Jokic’s PRA average is 53.2 (30.1 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 9.9 apg), he has not cleared 48.5 in each of his last four games. Jokic has played 16 games against the Sixers and he averages 41.6 PRA against them. He has played Philly twice this season, earlier this month, and hit 47 in one game and 49 in the other. Philly has lost six in a row and when tonight gets ugly, Jokic will probably be on the bench. That will prevent him from hitting this number.
