The NBA is ringing in the New Year with a full nine-game slate, including the Denver Nuggets (22-10) vs. the Toronto Raptors (20-14) at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Denver has slid to 2-4 over the last six, and Nuggets C Nikola Jokic suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for at least four weeks.
Toronto carries a 3-1 record over its previous four games.
With key injuries impacting Denver, what’s the top Nuggets vs Raptors prediction? We’ll dive into a pair of More or Less stat projections at PrizePicks, as well.
Nuggets vs. Raptors Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
As interconference foes, Denver and Toronto meet only twice each season, and the Nuggets hold a perfect 4-0 record since the 2023-24 campaign. However, the Raptors have covered three consecutive point spreads and six of the last seven matchups.
Jokic was available for most of these matchups, though. Plus, the NBA injury report has Denver G Christian Braun (ankle), F Cameron Johnson (knee), and F Aaron Gordon (hamstring) out. The Nuggets’ rotation will be a shell of its former self, missing four starters.
Toronto’s injury report is far more favorable, with Raptors C Jakob Poeltl (back) is the only notable absence.
Nuggets vs. Raptors Over/Under, Spread
PrizePicks Team Picks has the Raptors tabbed as 6.5-point favorites, while returning a 1.35x payout for a win. Can the Nuggets contend in tonight’s matchup with a low 227.5 total?
- Spread: Toronto Raptors -6.5
- Over/Under: 227.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Nuggets 2.94x | Raptors 1.35x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Nuggets vs. Raptors Prediction on Total
According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Nuggets rank third in NET rating, surpassing the Raptors at 14th. However, Denver is without four of its five leaders in minutes per game.
The Nuggets boast the Association’s top offensive rating, but the team’s identity will likely shift. Dunks & Threes ranks Denver 10th in shot distribution around the rim, and the offense totals 52.8 points in the paint per game (ninth).
However, Jokic leads the interior attack by taking 58.0% of his field goal attempts within 10 feet of the basket. Braun (63.9%) and Gordon (42.9%) each attempt a healthy share in the painted area, as well.
Toronto gives up only 47.8 points in the paint per contest (seventh). The Nuggets could look to shoot more treys, but the Raptors give up only 12.6 made triples per game (tenth) and a 34.0% 3-point percentage (second).
On the other side of the court, Toronto totals 52.1 points in the paint per game (11th) and ranks 13th in shot distribution around the rim. With the Raptors posting only 11.8 made 3-pointers per game (24th), plenty of 2-point shots could help contribute to an under.
Furthermore, Denver is 19th for the quickest pace, while Toronto ranks 24th in the category.
Nuggets vs. Raptors NBA Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
A pair of former Kentucky Wildcat guards stand out for tonight’s projections at PrizePicks.
Nuggets G Jamal Murray vs. Raptors Projection: 3.5 Made 3-Pointers
- Murray leads the Nuggets with 3.5 made triples and 7.7 shots from beyond the arc.
- In December, his volume is up to 4.2 converted 3-pointers and 8.2 attempts from deep per contest.
- The former All-Star boasts absurd efficiency, shooting 45.4% from 3-point land on the season and 50.9% in December.
- He’s averaged 4.4 made treys per contest over the last five games.
- Toronto allows 37.1 shots from downtown per game (18th) and a 42.9% 3-point shot distribution (22nd).
Raptors G Immanuel Quickley vs. Nuggets Projection: 16.5 Points
- While the Raptors’ 3-point attack is limited, Quickley could benefit from Denver surrendering 37.7 attempted triples per game (20th).
- IQ tops Toronto with 2.4 made 3-pointers and 6.8 shots from beyond the arc per contest.
- He totals 3.0 made treys per game over the last three, shooting 45.0% from the 3-point line in the split.
- The former first-round pick has reached 17 points in four of his last five games, and he’s enjoyed 14.2 shots per game compared to his season-long mark of 12.9.
Make Nuggets vs. Raptors Picks on PrizePicks
Which squad will end 2025 with a win? Denver’s injury report looks as long as your chore list, providing Toronto with an angle to flourish.
Make your Nuggets vs. Raptors picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right. Just choose players — including Jamal Murray and Immanuel Quickley — predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
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