With some troubling early signs in sight, the Denver Nuggets are still looking for their first win of the season when they visit the Toronto Raptors tonight.

Denver’s shaky supporting cast is quickly becoming a storyline after an 0-2 start, but my Nuggets vs. Raptors predictions suggest a bounce back from the visitors here, with Nikola Jokic playing a big role in my top NBA picks for this Oct. 28 game.

Raptors vs Nuggets prediction

My best choice
Nuggets -7.5 (-120 at PointsBet Canada)

My analysis

The Denver Nuggets arrive at Scotiabank Arena with a clear talent advantage over the rebuilding Toronto Raptors and, just as importantly, there is real urgency for Denver to get the season off to a flying start.

That is a formula with which visitors can get started. I expect a brutal, focused performance from the Nuggets, and I’m taking them to cover up this spread against a Toronto team that clearly prioritizes player development.

The biggest question mark for Denver is bench production. The Russell Westbrook gamble is off to a rocky start and Michael Malone has had no choice but to give minutes to unproven reserves so far this year.

The good news for the Nuggets tonight is that Toronto is experimenting with a rookie-laden second unit, and the Raptors’ bench likely won’t exploit Denver like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers did last week.

With Nikola Jokic coming off a 41-point outburst against the Clippers, including a career-high seven 3-pointers, and Jamal Murray looking more like himself with a 22-point effort, I see the visitors getting off to a fast start.

Denver should also be well positioned to cash in on a turnover-prone Toronto rotation (46 turnovers in the past two games) that is missing Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown and will likely be without Immanuel Quickley tonight as well.

The Nuggets have won five of the past seven meetings between these teams, and I’m betting on a comfortable road victory here.

Raptors vs Nuggets same-game parlay (SGP)

Gold Nuggets -7.5

Nikola Jokic Over 8.5 assists

Scottie Barnes Less than 20.5 points

I’m doubling down on an efficient night for the Denver offense by adding the Over on Jokic’s assists brace for my SGP.

It’s too much to ask Jakob Poeltl or Chris Boucher to keep a straight eye on Jokic, so it’s inevitable that the Raptors will have to send double teams if Joker lines up nearby – and that should mean open looks for the the team’s best shooters, Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Jokic had 13 dimes in the season opener and the stage is set for another double-digit assist night even if the second unit’s streaking shooting continues. Moreover, I don’t foresee a repeat of the 26 field goal attempts that Joker made on Saturday.

I also grab a Scottie Barnes prop. Barnes has been given the keys to Toronto’s offense, but he looked too passive at times in the first week when the Raptors needed him to fill the void left by the injuries to Quickley and RJ Barrett.

While he is able to push his way to the rim against most fullbacks, Barnes has been held to 20 points or fewer in two of his three appearances thus far, including a nine-point dud in the season opener.

That leads me to the Under on his points rack here. Barnes faces a tough matchup against Aaron Gordon, and Barrett’s possible return from a shoulder injury could deprive him of a few points as well.

There is also explosion potential in this collision, which could put a dent in Barnes’ minutes.

Learn how to parlay on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Raptors vs. Nuggets Odds

Raptors vs Nuggets live odds

Get the latest Raptors vs Nuggets NBA odds.

Opening odds Raptors vs Nuggets

• Spread: Toronto +7.5 | Denver -7.5
• Moneyline: Toronto +277 | Deventer -325
• Top/Bottom: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5

Raptors vs. Nuggets spread and over/under analysis

• The Raptors are big underdogs at home tonight, having lost six of their last seven games since last season.
• This is the Nuggets’ first appearance of the new season, and they went 24-17 on the road in the 2023-2024 season.
• Denver won 113-104 in Toronto last year with the Under winning cash, but the Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these teams.
• Even with Jokic’s elite play, the 4Q Under is 52-34 in the Nuggets’ last 86 games.

Raptors vs. Nuggets trend

Despite the Raptors’ inconsistent offense, the Over has been a winning ticket in each of their last seven home games. Find more NBA betting odds for Raptors vs. Nuggets.

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