Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Prediction for Monday November 2 2026

Portland is 4-1. Three road wins already. Not bad at all.

But here’s where I start leaning toward Denver. The Blazers just lost Ja Morant for at least four weeks, and now they’re going into Ball Arena against a Nuggets team that’s had a couple of days to prepare.

I like what Portland has done. I just don’t love this particular spot.

The Trail Blazers visit the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Monday, November 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 PM ET. Denver has won its last two games, and Portland is trying to extend a three-game road winning streak. No verified sportsbook spread or total was available when I researched the matchup, so I’m taking Denver on the moneyline and using a target number for the total. Be ready for all the NBA action with our free NBA picks.

Portland Trail Blazers Have Been Better Than Expected

Portland is 4-1, including 3-0 away from home. The Blazers beat Utah 112-90 Saturday after losing 124-103 to Memphis Thursday. Before that, they scored 136 against the Lakers and 128 against Sacramento. So this isn’t a team that’s been struggling to score. They’ve already shown they can win on the road.

Through their first four games, Portland averaged 122.8 points while allowing 114. The Blazers were shooting 48.5 percent from the field and collecting 46 rebounds a game. Those are good numbers, although we’re talking about a small sample. The defense is what worries me. Memphis scored 124 against Portland, and the Lakers scored 129. Denver has enough offensive talent to punish that kind of defense, especially if the Blazers start turning the ball over.

Deni Avdija has been averaging better than 22 points, while Donovan Clingan has been grabbing more than nine rebounds a game. Those are important contributions, and Portland will need both against Denver’s frontcourt. But Morant is out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and Shaedon Sharpe remains sidelined after meniscus surgery. Robert Williams III has also been dealing with a knee problem. That’s a lot of missing help, particularly in the backcourt.

Denver Nuggets Have the Better Setup

Denver is 3-2, including 1-1 at home. The Nuggets beat New Orleans 104-91 Wednesday and Phoenix 127-120 Friday. Those were two very different games, and Denver found a way to win both. That’s encouraging after the Warriors scored 134 against the Nuggets earlier in the week.

Denver averaged 114 points and allowed 115.2 through its first five games. The Nuggets have been shooting around 47 percent from the field and 37 percent from three. The offense hasn’t been consistent every night, but it has plenty of ways to score. The defense needs to improve, especially after giving up 134 to Golden State and 135 to New Orleans. Portland can make Denver pay if those problems continue.

Jamal Murray has been averaging about 22.5 points, while Nikola Jokic has been contributing around 10.5 rebounds and nine assists. That’s the combination I trust here. Murray can create a shot when the offense stalls, and Jokic makes everybody around him better. Julian Strawther is out with a knee injury, while Spencer Jones and Alpha Diallo have also been listed unavailable. Those absences affect Denver’s depth, but the Nuggets still have their main offensive pieces.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Prediction

Denver Nuggets Moneyline

I’m taking Denver. Portland has been excellent on the road, and I’m not ignoring that. The Blazers could absolutely win if their outside shots are falling and they control the rebounding. But Morant’s injury changes the way Portland creates offense. Denver has Jokic and Murray, two players I trust to make the right decisions late, and the Nuggets have had more time to prepare. I think Portland hangs around, but Denver makes enough plays in the fourth quarter to win.

Over 229.5 Points — Target Total

I’ll look Over 229.5 if that number is available. Portland was averaging nearly 123 points through its first four games, and Denver has already been involved in some high-scoring contests. The Nuggets gave up 134 to Golden State and 135 to New Orleans. That’s not exactly lockdown defense. The concern is Portland struggling without Morant and Denver slowing the game down through Jokic. But I think both teams can reach 110, with Denver doing a little more. Something like Nuggets 120-113 sounds right.

Final Picks: Denver Nuggets Moneyline and Over 229.5 Points (target total)