Trail Blazers-Nuggets Preview

The Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets will meet on the court at Pepsi Center on Monday in a battle of division rivals. Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Trail Blazers, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Brandon Roy tossed in 52 points in leading the Trail Blazers to a 124-119 victory over the Suns on Thursday. The Trail Blazers managed to cover the 4.5-point spread, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 204. Roy shot 14-for-27 with five rebounds and six assists, while Steve Blake added 22 points in the win. The Nuggets were defeated 108-101 by the Suns last time out, as 6-point road underdogs. The 209 points fell UNDER the posted total of 222. Nene Hilario netted 20 points with 15 rebounds for a double-double in the loss. Current streak: Portland has won 2 straight games. Denver has lost 3 straight games. Team records: Portland: 17-10 SU, 13-14 ATS Denver: 17-10 SU, 15-11-1 ATS Portland most recently: When playing on Monday are 4-6 Before playing Denver are 8-2 After playing Phoenix are 6-4 After a win are 7-3 Denver most recently: When playing on Monday are 6-4 Before playing Portland are 5-5 After playing Phoenix are 6-4 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland's last 7 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 9 of Portland's last 11 games when playing on the road against Denver The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Portland's last 14 games The total has gone OVER in 7 of Portland's last 10 games when playing Denver Denver is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Portland The total has gone OVER in 9 of Denver's last 11 games when playing at home against Portland The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland Next up: Portland home to Denver, Tuesday, December 23 Denver at Portland, Tuesday, December 23