Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Prediction - Oct. 31 | 2025 NBA Emirates Cup

The Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers matchup is one of eight NBA Emirates Cup games scheduled for Friday. The Nuggets are third in the West with a 3-1 record, while the Trail Blazers are fifth in the same conference with a 3-2 record.

The two teams have faced each other in 203 regular-season games, with Portland holding a slight 104-99 lead. They faced off four times last season and split the series 2-2.

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and Prediction

Money line: Nuggets -190, Trail Blazers +160

Spread: Nuggets -4.5 (-110), Trail Blazers +4.5 (-110)

Total over/under (o/u): Nuggets o239.5 (-110), Trail Blazers u239.5 (-110)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview

This West Group C NBA Emirates Cup matchup pits one of the title contenders in the Nuggets against the surprise package of the conference so far, the Trail Blazers.

The Nuggets are on a three-game winning streak and most recently defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 122-88 on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic had a triple-double of 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray and Christian Braun had 17 points each.

Murray is questionable for Friday’s game with left calf tightness, while Cameron Johnson is probable to play with a shoulder injury.

The Trail Blazers are going through some internal turmoil as coach Chauncey Billups navigates a legal battle. However, that doesn’t seem to have bothered the players as they have won two games on the trot.

Portland is coming off of a close 136-134 win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Jrue Holiday led the team with 27 points, while Deni Avdija had 19 points and nine rebounds. Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant had 18 points each.

The Blazers have been highly efficient with their fast-paced game so far. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain that level of play against the Nuggets, who play a lot slower and are mostly centered around Jokic.

Portland will be without Matisse Thybulle (thumb), Damian Lillard (Achilles), Scoot Henderson (hamstring) and Kris Murray (illness). Shaedon Sharpe is probable with left calf soreness, while Robert Williams III is questionable with a knee issue.

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Starting 5s

Nuggets

PG - Jamal Murray (day-to-day), SG - Christian Braun, SF - Cameron Johnson, PF - Aaron Gordon, C - Nikola Jokic

Trail Blazers

PG - Jrue Holiday, SG - Shaedon Sharpe, SF - Toumani Camara, PF - Deni Avdija, C - Donovan Clingan

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Betting Tips

Jrue Holiday is not favored to cross 16.5 points.

Nikola Jokic is projected to have under 10.5 assists.

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction and Betting Tips

The oddsmakers slightly favor the Nuggets to get a win on the road in the opening day of the 2025 NBA Emirates Cup. While Portland has played an exciting brand of basketball so far, it likely won’t sustain against the mastery of Jokic.

Bet on Denver to cover the spread for a win in a game where the team total goes past 239.5 points.