NUGGETS
Oddsmakers set expectations high for Nuggets, but a realistic win total
Jul 21, 2022, 3:01 PM
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
We don’t yet have the NBA schedule for 2022-23, but oddsmakers already have an idea of how many games the Denver Nuggets will win.
In each of the last five seasons, the Nuggets have won at least 46 games. But in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 and 2020-21 season, Denver was actually on pace to win 52 and 54 games, which would’ve followed up 2018-19’s 54-win effort, which ranks fourth-best in franchise history. Last year, the Nuggets took a step back from the 50s and down to 48-34.
Oddsmakers at SportsBetting.ag are hedging the Nuggets’ win number from recent years right down the middle, predicting 49.5 wins.
If recent years tell us anything, if Nikola Jokic plays well, the Nuggets will win at least 46 games. And if he has a somewhat healthy Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets are almost guaranteed to win over 50 games.
But that’s the question for both the fans looking at putting their money on the Nuggets and the Nuggets themselves; how healthy will Murray and MPJ be?
SuperBook says the Nuggets are 20/1 to win it all, tied for ninth-best in the NBA and 10/1 to win the west, fifth-best.
Nikola Jokic has the fourth-best odds to win a third-straight MVP at 10/1 while Murray and MPJ have numbers too at 250/1 and 1000/1.
The Nuggets will not be as deep as they were in recent years but they could have a stronger rotation. Meaning their regular season may not be as smooth but they could be poised for a deep run.
