Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Pick & Prediction – 11/14/21
Updated October 28, 2026
Updated October 28, 2026
The Portland Trail Blazers visit the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Sunday, November 14, 2021, in a Northwest Division matchup featuring two teams with contrasting starts to the season.
Denver enters the contest with an 8-4 record and a strong home-court advantage, while Portland sits at 6-7 after struggling to establish consistency under new head coach Chauncey Billups.
Nikola Jokić remains the central figure for the Nuggets, but Denver has injury concerns surrounding several important players. Portland, meanwhile, faces a major challenge with Damian Lillard sidelined by an abdominal injury.
The matchup presents an interesting question for bettors: can Portland generate enough offense without its leading playmaker to challenge Denver on the road?
Our Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets prediction examines the key matchups, team form, and factors likely to influence the result.
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Game details | Information |
|---|---|
Matchup | Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets |
Date | Sunday, November 14, 2021 |
Tipoff | 8:00 p.m. ET |
Venue | Ball Arena |
Location | Denver, Colorado |
Competition | NBA regular season |
Portland record entering game | 6-7 |
Denver record entering game | 8-4 |
Denver has performed well at home early in the season, and its ability to control games through Jokić makes the Nuggets a difficult opponent.
Portland's biggest concern is the absence of Lillard, who is central to the team's offensive production.
Without him, the Trail Blazers must rely more heavily on CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, and Anfernee Simons.
Portland has struggled to find consistency during the opening weeks of the 2021-22 season.
The Trail Blazers enter Sunday's matchup with a 6-7 record, having lost six of their first seven road games.
Their offense still has considerable talent, but defensive problems and inconsistent performances away from home have limited their progress.
Lillard's absence creates another significant challenge.
The six-time All-Star is dealing with an abdominal injury and will miss the game.
His absence changes Portland's offensive approach considerably.
Lillard normally attracts considerable defensive attention, creates scoring opportunities for teammates, and provides a reliable option late in possessions.
Without him, McCollum becomes Portland's primary offensive threat.
McCollum is capable of producing high-scoring performances, particularly when he finds his rhythm from three-point range.
However, Denver can devote more defensive attention to him without having to account for Lillard.
That makes the contributions of Powell and Simons especially important.
Simons is expected to take on additional ball-handling responsibilities, while Powell offers another scoring option on the perimeter.
Portland will need efficient shooting from all three players to remain competitive.
The matchup between Nurkić and Jokić is another important factor.
Nurkić has the size and strength to compete physically, but Jokić presents a different challenge because of his passing and ability to score throughout the half-court offense.
Portland needs Nurkić to defend without committing unnecessary fouls.
He also has to contribute on the glass and prevent Denver from generating repeated second-chance opportunities.
The Trail Blazers could struggle if Jokić controls the matchup and forces Portland's defense into constant rotations.
Denver enters the game with an 8-4 record and has established itself as one of the stronger defensive teams in the Western Conference.
The Nuggets have also performed particularly well at Ball Arena.
Jokić remains the team's most important player.
The reigning MVP contributes as a scorer, rebounder, and playmaker, making him extremely difficult to defend.
His passing creates opportunities for teammates, while his scoring efficiency gives Denver a dependable offensive foundation.
Portland will need to find a way to limit his influence without leaving Denver's shooters open.
The Nuggets are dealing with several important absences.
Jamal Murray remains sidelined while recovering from a serious knee injury sustained during the previous season.
Michael Porter Jr. is also unavailable because of a back injury.
Will Barton is another notable absence for Sunday's game.
Those injuries reduce Denver's offensive depth and increase the importance of Jokić.
However, the Nuggets still have capable contributors in Aaron Gordon, Monte Morris, and several reserve players.
Their ability to provide reliable scoring support could determine how comfortably Denver handles Portland.
Ball Arena has been a difficult venue for visiting teams.
Denver's familiarity with the conditions and its defensive organization provide an advantage, particularly against a Portland team that has struggled away from home.
The Nuggets can also use Jokić to control the pace.
His ability to facilitate from the post and find open teammates makes Denver difficult to disrupt when its offense is functioning well.
This is the most important individual matchup.
Jokić has the advantage in offensive versatility and playmaking.
Nurkić must provide physical resistance, protect the paint, and compete on the boards.
If Jokić can score efficiently while creating open shots for teammates, Denver will have a significant advantage.
With Lillard unavailable, McCollum must carry a larger share of Portland's scoring responsibilities.
Denver will likely focus on preventing him from getting comfortable looks.
Portland needs McCollum to score efficiently without forcing difficult shots.
Denver's injuries have created opportunities for players such as Bones Hyland, Facundo Campazzo, and the Green forwards.
Portland also needs meaningful contributions from its reserves.
Bench scoring could become especially important when Jokić or McCollum is resting.
Both teams have capable rebounders, but Denver's frontcourt size presents a challenge.
Portland must limit offensive rebounds and avoid giving the Nuggets extra possessions.
That becomes particularly important if the Trail Blazers struggle to generate consistent offense without Lillard.
Denver has several advantages entering the game.
The Nuggets have the stronger early-season record, home-court advantage, and the best individual player in Jokić.
Portland's poor road form is another concern.
Lillard's absence further strengthens Denver's case.
However, the Nuggets' own injury problems mean they cannot rely entirely on their usual supporting cast.
The outcome could depend on how effectively Denver's remaining rotation players contribute around Jokić.
Denver appears to be the stronger side, but the value of a spread wager depends on the number available.
Portland still has capable scorers in McCollum, Powell, and Simons.
Those players could keep the game competitive if they shoot well.
However, Denver's defense and Portland's difficulties on the road suggest the Nuggets have a realistic opportunity to build a substantial lead.
Any spread selection should account for the absence of Lillard and Denver's reduced offensive depth.
The total presents competing factors.
Portland's offense could struggle without Lillard, particularly if Denver controls the pace and limits open perimeter shots.
The Nuggets have also established a strong defensive identity early in the season.
On the other hand, Portland's defensive inconsistency could allow Jokić and Denver's supporting players to score efficiently.
The final total may depend more on Denver's shooting performance than on Portland's ability to generate offense.
Denver has the stronger overall position entering Sunday's matchup.
Jokić gives the Nuggets a clear advantage in offensive creation, while their home-court performance and defensive consistency provide additional support.
Portland has enough scoring talent to challenge Denver in stretches, but the absence of Lillard makes that task considerably more difficult.
McCollum will need a strong performance, and the Trail Blazers must receive meaningful contributions from Simons and Powell.
The biggest concern for Portland is its ability to contain Jokić while preventing Denver's supporting players from finding open shots.
With the Nuggets at home and Portland missing its primary playmaker, Denver is the stronger side.
Preferred side based on the matchup: Denver Nuggets
Key advantage: Nikola Jokić and Denver's home-court performance
Main concern: Injuries affecting Denver's supporting cast
Total outlook: Portland's offense could struggle without Lillard, although Denver's shooting efficiency remains an important variable.
The historical ATS.io selection and its exact betting odds have not been established, so this assessment is not presented as the original published pick.
→ Our Take: Denver's advantage begins with Jokić, but the absence of Lillard is just as important. Portland has struggled on the road, and its offense faces a difficult assignment without its leading creator. The Nuggets have the stronger matchup profile despite their own injury concerns.
Denver Nuggets 124, Portland Trail Blazers 95
Denver delivered a convincing 29-point victory at Ball Arena, improving to 9-4.
Portland fell to 6-8 after another difficult road performance.
The Nuggets controlled the game early, opening a 15-point lead after the first quarter.
Portland briefly made the contest more competitive in the middle quarters, but Denver finished strongly to secure the comfortable victory.
Quarter | Trail Blazers | Nuggets |
|---|---|---|
First | 18 | 33 |
Second | 35 | 34 |
Third | 26 | 24 |
Fourth | 16 | 33 |
Final | 95 | 124 |
Denver's strong start immediately put Portland under pressure.
The Nuggets led 67-53 at halftime, although Portland reduced the deficit to 12 points entering the fourth quarter.
Denver then dominated the final period 33-16.
That late surge turned a comfortable lead into a 29-point victory.
Jokić was the standout performer.
He finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in fewer than 28 minutes.
The reigning MVP shot 11-for-17 from the field and made all three of his three-point attempts.
Portland struggled to contain his scoring while also accounting for his passing.
Jokić came close to recording a triple-double but did not need to return for the final stages of the game.
Denver's lead was large enough for its reserves to finish the contest.
Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
Points | 28 |
Rebounds | 9 |
Assists | 9 |
Field goals | 11-for-17 |
Three-pointers | 3-for-3 |
Minutes | 27:57 |
Jokić's combination of scoring and playmaking was the central reason Denver's offense performed so efficiently.
He consistently created favorable opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Despite the absence of several important players, Denver received strong contributions throughout its rotation.
Bones Hyland scored 18 points off the bench, making four three-pointers.
Monte Morris added 15 points and seven rebounds.
Facundo Campazzo scored 13, while PJ Dozier and JaMychal Green contributed 12 points apiece.
The Nuggets' depth was particularly important because of the injuries affecting their usual rotation.
Player | Points |
|---|---|
Nikola Jokić | 28 |
Bones Hyland | 18 |
Monte Morris | 15 |
Facundo Campazzo | 13 |
PJ Dozier | 12 |
JaMychal Green | 12 |
Aaron Gordon | 11 |
Denver finished with seven players scoring in double figures.
That balanced production made it difficult for Portland to focus exclusively on Jokić.
The Nuggets also connected on 19 three-pointers, providing another major advantage.
The Trail Blazers were unable to generate enough offense to stay competitive.
McCollum led Portland with 21 points, making five three-pointers.
Simons contributed 16 points, while Powell added 13.
However, Portland received limited production from several other starters.
Nurkić scored just four points, and Robert Covington finished with three.
The absence of Lillard was particularly noticeable during the first and fourth quarters, when Portland scored only 18 and 16 points.
Player | Points |
|---|---|
CJ McCollum | 21 |
Anfernee Simons | 16 |
Norman Powell | 13 |
Nassir Little | 8 |
Cody Zeller | 6 |
Ben McLemore | 6 |
Portland's offensive difficulties were compounded by Denver's efficient shooting.
The Trail Blazers could not consistently trade baskets with the Nuggets, particularly once Denver's reserves began contributing from three-point range.
Denver held several significant statistical advantages.
Statistic | Trail Blazers | Nuggets |
|---|---|---|
Points | 95 | 124 |
Field goals | 35-for-80 | 47-for-90 |
Field goal percentage | 43.8% | 52.2% |
Three-pointers | 13-for-39 | 19-for-40 |
Three-point percentage | 33.3% | 47.5% |
Free throws | 12-for-13 | 11-for-14 |
Assists | 22 | 29 |
Turnovers | 13 | 11 |
Denver's shooting efficiency was the most obvious difference.
The Nuggets made 52.2% of their field goal attempts and 47.5% of their three-pointers.
Portland shot 43.8% overall and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
Denver also recorded seven more assists and committed two fewer turnovers.
Those advantages helped the Nuggets maintain control throughout the evening.
Denver won by 29 points, while the teams combined for 219.
The outcome establishes the result of the main betting markets, although grading an exact historical wager requires the relevant pregame odds.
Betting market | Final outcome |
|---|---|
Moneyline | Denver won |
Winning margin | Nuggets by 29 |
Combined points | 219 |
Portland team total | 95 |
Denver team total | 124 |
Denver won outright, so Nuggets moneyline wagers were successful.
Portland moneyline wagers lost.
Denver's 29-point victory was decisive.
A Nuggets spread wager would have won at any line requiring Denver to win by fewer than 29 points.
The exact historical ATS.io spread selection remains unconfirmed.
The teams combined for 219 points.
A total above 219 would have resulted in an Under, while a total below 219 would have resulted in an Over.
The original article's total selection and line are unavailable.
The Nuggets shot 52.2% from the field and made 19 three-pointers.
That level of efficiency made it difficult for Portland to recover after falling behind early.
Jokić finished just one rebound and one assist short of a triple-double.
He scored efficiently and created opportunities for his teammates.
Portland never found a reliable way to contain him.
Without Lillard, Portland lacked its usual offensive organization and scoring threat.
McCollum and Simons provided some production, but the Trail Blazers struggled to maintain consistent pressure.
Hyland, Campazzo, Dozier, and JaMychal Green combined for 55 points.
That production helped Denver overcome its injury problems and maintain control when its starters rested.
Denver outscored Portland 33-16 in the final period.
The Nuggets finished strongly while the Trail Blazers' offense faded.
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 124-95.
The game took place at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Denver won by 29 points.
Jokić scored 28 points.
He finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing a triple-double.
Lillard missed the game because of an abdominal injury.
CJ McCollum scored 21 points.
Hyland scored 18 points off the bench.
The Nuggets made 19 three-pointers.
The teams combined for 219 points.
Denver improved to 9-4, while Portland fell to 6-8.
Denver won by 29 points. The exact result of a spread wager depends on the line taken.
Denver entered the matchup with the stronger record and a significant advantage through Jokić.
The Nuggets backed that up with one of their most convincing performances of the early season.
Jokić led the way with 28 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Denver's supporting cast provided excellent shooting and balanced scoring.
Portland struggled without Lillard and could not contain Denver's offense.
The Nuggets finished with a 124-95 victory, improving to 9-4 and handing the Trail Blazers another road defeat.
→ Our Take: Denver controlled the matchup through Jokić's playmaking, efficient three-point shooting, and strong bench contributions. Portland's offense lacked consistency without Lillard, and the Nuggets took full advantage. The 29-point victory reflected Denver's superiority throughout the contest.
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