Trail Blazers vs Nuggets Prediction, Odds & Game Preview 3/21/2025

The Portland Trail Blazers' surging momentum faces its toughest test yet as they welcome the Denver Nuggets to Moda Center, with both teams grappling with key injury uncertainties - Jokic and Murray questionable for Denver while Portland awaits word on Jerami Grant's availability.

Fresh off three straight wins and riding Deni Avdija's breakout performances (including a monster 31-point showing against Memphis), the Blazers find themselves just two games out of the Western Conference play-in picture.

The defending champion Nuggets have dominated this season's head-to-head matchups, but their recent defensive struggles - giving up 120+ points per 100 possessions in their last ten games - could open the door for the home team to flip the script against the away team.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets preview

The Nuggets roll into Portland's Moda Center with something to prove after their rough 120-108 loss to the Lakers, where they trailed by a brutal 30 points at one stage.

Portland's looking pretty hot right now, riding a three-game win streak with Deni Avdija absolutely lighting it up - his recent 31-point explosion against Memphis shows he's hitting his stride at just the right time.

The big question mark hanging over this matchup is whether Denver's dynamic duo of Jokic and Murray will suit up, as both stars have missed the last couple games with nagging injuries.

Denver's defense has been their Achilles' heel lately, giving up a whopping 120+ points per 100 possessions in their last ten games - something Portland's sharpshooting Anfernee Simons might just exploit.

These Northwest Division rivals have turned their recent matchups into scoring festivals, with their last five meetings all going over, including some real barnburners pushing 250+ points.

Aaron Gordon's been stepping up big time for Denver in their stars' absence, fresh off a 26-point, 11-rebound performance against the Lakers.

The Blazers are just two games out of that final play-in spot, so expect them to come out swinging, especially with their home crowd behind them.

With Portland's recent defensive improvements - holding their last two opponents under 100 points - and Denver's inconsistent form, this Friday night showdown at the Moda Center could get real interesting.