The Denver Nuggets are heavily favoured against the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
The pregame narrative: Denver is rolling and I expect it to win by double digits at home. Prop bets on each team’s point guard — Jamal Murray and Tyrese Maxey — round out this +360 wager.
Check out my 76ers vs. Nuggets same-game parlay predictions for Jan. 21.
76ers vs. Nuggets predictions
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Parlay: Nuggets -9.5 + Murray over 25.5 points/assists + Maxey over 5.5 assists (+360)
Nuggets -9.5 (-200): Sometimes teams need a fire lit under its behind. Back on Dec. 27, the Nuggets were blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 149-135, in Denver.
But Michael Malone’s squad has looked like a championship-calibre team since getting embarrassed on its home court:
- 10-3 record
- 121.4 offensive rating (best in NBA)
- +10.0 net rating (second-best in NBA)
The Nuggets covered this number in all 10 wins and didn’t have Nikola Jokic available for two of the losses. It’s been incredible, really.
I can smell a blowout coming with Jokic in the lineup and Embiid out. Philly is 8-20 without the 2023 MVP this season.
SGP legs
Murray over 25.5 points/assists (-112): Murray has been a big part of Denver’s recent success. Check out his numbers during its 10-3 run:
- 21.7 PPG
- 5.4 APG
- 48.9 FG%
The Canadian point guard has cleared this total in three of the last four games, shooting over 50.0% in each contest.
If he keeps up the volume, I believe Murray could clear this mark on points alone.
Philly gives up the 12th-most overall assists per game (24.8) and the ninth-most points per game to opposing point guards (24.9), according to Fantasy Pros.
Maxey over 5.5 assists (-215): I backed Maxey to clear his 6.5 assist total in Tuesday’s best NBA prop bets and will tease that number down for some extra security.
Philly’s point guard averages about one fewer assist without Embiid (5.5) than he does with him (6.6). That said, Maxey has cleared this mark in six of the past eight games without the big man.
Denver is also a good matchup for him to produce, as it allows the third-most assists per game to point guards (10.07).
Maxey had nine helpers in his last game against the Nuggets, though Embiid was playing.
Picks made at 1:02 p.m. ET 01/21/2025
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.