Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets Predictions, Money Line & Picks

• The Toronto Raptors currently sit 1.5 games out of the Eastern Conference Play-In spots.

• The Denver Nuggets are still comfortably fourth in the West, despite the loss of Jamal Murray.

• The Raptors won their earlier meeting with the Nuggets this season, 135 to 111.

Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets Odds

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Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets Predictions and Picks

The Denver Nuggets are still a strong team, despite losing Jamal Murray for the season. But the Toronto Raptors are an improved defensive group that have already shown they can score against the Nuggets.

Picks:

Toronto Raptors def. Denver Nuggets

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How to Watch Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets

Head-to-Head: Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets

TOR: Late Game Composure

The Toronto Raptors are a veteran team with more than an experienced core group of players. Despite that, their stars failed to live up to expectations when they were needed most.

In their 116-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in their last game, the trio of Pascal Siakam, Fred Vanvleet, and Kyle Lowry disappointed. The three combined for two of 10 shooting in the final frame, accounting for just five of the team’s 20 fourth-quarter points.

The Raptors key players are playing heavy minutes, but they won’t be given any reprieve against the Nuggets. Pascal Siakam in particular needs to find consistency in the clutch, something that tends to define Toronto’s success.

Raptors Key Player: (G) Fred Vanvleet

Pull up then, @FredVanVleet ? pic.twitter.com/hjXlX6KfSu

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 22, 2021

Toronto Raptors guard Fred Vanvleet struggled in his last game. While he’s been open about his fitness issues after about with COVID-19, he’ll be the last to blame illness for his poor performance.

In his last game against the Nets Fred Vanvleet was a -17, posting 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists on a dismal four of 17 shooting.

The Raptors point guard has to be impactful for the Raptors to have any success. He shoots a high volume, so efficiency is important.

DEN: Hold But Don’t Break

It’s a similar situation for the Denver Nuggets, as they face off with the Toronto Raptors this season. They faced the Raptors once before this season on the tail end of a back-to-back, Denver were also blown out in that game.

The Nuggets put on an admirable performance in their last match against the New Orleans Pelicans. Even though they were outscored 34 to 27 in the fourth quarter, Denver were able to hold on via a late defensive stand.

Toronto will smell blood in the water when they face the Nuggets, as they are fighting for a Play-In position. Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr have led the Nuggets since Murray was lost to injury, but they’ll need a team effort to win this match.

Nuggets Key Player: (G) Facundo Campazzo

Look at Facundo Campazzo being a pest on Curry during this possession, never letting him get comfortable straight from the inbound.

He had a couple of these possessions this game.

Past 2 games hes had to guard Dame Lillard and Steph Curry. pic.twitter.com/KXIhBW0EgQ

— Marathon Hoops (@Marathon_Hoops) April 24, 2021

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will get most of the praise after Denver’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans. However, it was diminutive point guard Facundo Campazzo who helped the Nuggets keep the pressure on.

Campazzo had an impressive double-double, contributing 19 points and ten assists to go along with six rebounds, and two steals. His three three-pointers were more than welcome.

The Argentine isn’t the strongest defender, but he’s shown a grittiness that helps make up for his lack of size. Denver will need him at his best to slow down the Raptors’ slew of perimeter threats.