[COLOR=#000000 !important]The Spurs (24-3) are in their best start in franchise history. Gregg Popovich’s team has the best record in the NBA and it is going tonight for its 10th straight win for the second time this season. With an outstanding 15-2 record at the AT&T Center, the Spurs host a Carmelo-less Denver Nuggets team which is struggling on the road this year.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000 !important]
While the Nuggets (16-10) have a decent overall record above .500, with a 12-2 record at home, this is a different team on the road with a record of 4-8 so far. With just a quality win in Dallas at the beginning of the season (Dec. 06), their unusual road wins have been against average teams (Houston, Toronto and Golden State).
[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000 !important]
The Nuggets best player, Carmelo Anthony, who is averaging 24 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, will miss tonight’s game due to a death in the family. Yet, the Nuggets will not only miss Melo tonight, Chris “Birdman” Andersen (back), Kenyon Martin (knee), Chauncey Billups (wrist), are listed as questionable due to injuries that have been bothering George Karl’s team all year long. Even if all these players appear in the lineup tonight, just keep in mind they will not be at full strength against a powerful San Antonio team.
[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000 !important]
The Spurs are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 vs. the Northwest Division in the Western Conference.
[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000 !important]In short, the Nuggets face the best team in the league right now, and Denver is not elite anymore. Moreover, they might be missing key players tonight and are playing their worst basketball on the road.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000 !important]
Go with the red hot Spurs to cover the spread and extend their streak to 10.
[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000 !important]
Free NBA Pick: Spurs -8
[/COLOR]