NBA: Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers

The Denver Nuggets (28-13) head to Philadelphia for a matchup with the 76ers (25-13) in a clash of MVPs. Both of these squads enter this matchup riding back-to-back wins, although it is the 76ers that will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back while the Nuggets enter the contest with a day’s rest.

It will be interesting to see if the 76ers’ big man and reigning league MVP, Joel Embiid, will play in this game. Embiid returned from injury in Monday’s 124-115 victory over the Houston Rockets, where he scored 41 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Embiid has logged 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in 16 consecutive games and is among the favorites for MVP. If Embiid wants to repeat as league MVP, he must stay in the lineup. The NBA CBA requires players to play 65 games in a season to be eligible for the MVP award; Embiid has played 27 games this year. Embiid has developed a bit of a reputation for dodging upper-echelon opponents, for instance, having not played a game against the Nuggets in the Mile High City since the 2019/2020 season. He is expected to play in Tuesday’s game at home which should make for a clashing of the titans between two recent league MVPs.

The defending NBA champions head into this matchup following wins against the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers. Nikola Jokić is the betting favorite to win MVP (insert odds here) and is fresh off a Somber double against Indiana with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Denver is 7-3 in its last 10 games and looking like a real threat to defend their spot atop the NBA. Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter. Jr are all listed as day-to-day but should play in this matchup.

Embiid has won five of the seven games he’s played against Jokic and the Nuggets, including the lone head-to-head matchup last season, which came in Philadelphia during January. Embiid logged 47 points and 18 rebounds in the game. The 76ers have cleaned up at home this season, posting a 15-6 record SU, while the Nuggets are only 11-9 on the road this year.

Red Schaefley’s Pick: Nuggets +4

This Nuggets team is live to win against any team in the league right now, whether the game is at home or on the road. Look for Jokic and the Nuggets to get up for this game following the day of rest. The 76ers are 2-4 this season when playing on no rest, with the two most recent losses coming against the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves, two teams of a similar caliber to Denver.

This will be Jokic’s first time playing Embiid since he won his first MVP award, which was fueled by controversy. The narrative around the MVP award last season was draining for Jokic, and this could be a prime spot for him to show this 76ers team what he and the Nuggets are all about. The Joker continues to dominate this season, logging 25.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game on average while rarely missing shots in the process.

Forward Michael Porter Jr. has rounded into form, scoring 20+ points in consecutive games to pair with 18 rebounds. The Nuggets are once again a top defensive unit in the league, specifically in the clutch. Collectively, the Nuggets are still the best team in the Western Conference and in the entire NBA, even if their record suggests otherwise. Look for Denver to be locked into this game and bring the pace to a 76ers squad playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

NHL: Ottawa Senators @ Colorado Avalanche 

On paper, there’s every reason to believe that the Colorado Avalanche should skate circles around the lowly Ottawa Senators. The mighty Avs have talent galore. They’re winners in 7 of their last 10, duking it out with the Jets for the top slot in the Central Division and trying to figure out how to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. 

Meanwhile, in Ottawa, the Senators have the lowest point total in the entire Eastern Conference. They’re 4-6 in their last 10, limping their way to the end of the season. 

Colorado is a goal scoring machine; Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen lead an offense that finds the back of the net at a whopping 3.7 times per game.  And while the Senators can also score – at a decent clip of 3.3 goals per game – the defense in Ottawa has been suspect at best.  Ironically, the Senators are giving up the same 3.7 rate at which Colorado is scoring. 

Again, none of this bodes well for Ottawa, who heads to Colorado having lost five of their last five road games. 

But, games are never played on paper. They’re played on courts, fields or ice. And last night, the Avalanche had a back-and-forth battle with the Canadiens in Montreal. The Avs ultimately lost that game and it’s a quick turnaround and a short night returning from the east coast. 

Making matters worse, Colorado finds itself amidst some drama it would rather not be dealing with. Avs forward Val Nichushkin has entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program. It’s a significant loss considering that Nichushkin has 42 points on the season. 

The Avalanche should beat the Senators, but given the circumstances, will they? 

Norm LaChatlier’s Pick: Senators +100

In every NHL season, there are a handful of games that end in inexplicable fashion.  Common sense will say to bet on the Avs, but something feels amiss in Colorado at the moment. If you’re feeling frisky and risky, this may be a good time to roll the dice on an underdog, as the fresh legs of the Senators may very well outskate the better – yet tired and distracted – legs of the Avs. Thank me later. 

….And Keep an Eye On

NBA: Kings at Suns (-4.5) 

The Suns have won two straight games. Are they finally putting it together? Meanwhile, the Kings are losers of two straight, both East coast road swings. Still, Sacramento sits two games ahead in the standings, which could be reason to carefully examine to 4.5-point edge given to Phoenix. 

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NHL: Kraken at Rangers (-200) 

The Rangers appear to be the real deal, sitting atop the Metropolitan Division and boasting one of the defenses on hockey. The Kraken aren’t enjoying a similar season out West, dangerously circling the drains in the Pacific. Then again, Seattle is famous for mucking it up. 

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NCAAMB: Iowa State at BYU (-4.5)

It’s No. 24 heading to No. 20 for a Mountain Time Zone showdown. It’s the only game on the Tuesday slate in which two top-25 teams will go head-to-head. Both teams boast 13 wins on the season, so this could be a doozy.