Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets Prediction and Odds for Friday, December 23 (Keep Riding Two Hot Offenses)

The Trail Blazers travel to Denver to face the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in a battle of two Western Conference playoff contenders.

Jokic has his eyes on a third straight MVP while the Nuggets are tops in the West heading into Friday's action while the Blazers are close, but with a lot of teams in the way. Portland sits three games behind Denver, but in ninth place ahead of this Friday night matchup.

Here's the latest odds and our best bet for this Friday night showdown:

Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets Odds, Spread and Total

Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets Prediction and Pick

Both offenses have been humming in the month of December, each top seven in offensive rating according to NBA.com.

The Blazers offense has been particularly strong this month, second in that metric and will be facing a Nuggets defense that is 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions this season. However, this Blazers defense is going to struggle to keep down Jokic and the Nuggets offense. Portland's defense has slipped after a hot start this season, league average this month and I'll bank on Jokic and the Nuggets offense to keep their elite O going on Friday night.

Both teams regularly have totals in the mid 230's and with the Nuggets quick pace, 11th in tempo this month, I expect points in bunches. The Blazers do play at a slower tempo, bottom 10, but the team is second in effective field goal percentage this month and I think that will send this game over the total.

Track all of Reed's bets at Betstamp HERE!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.