Denver Nuggets As Favorite Betting Trend

The Nuggets' struggles as favorites stem from their historically inconsistent approach to closing out games against perceived inferior opponents. Denver has long operated as a team that plays to the level of their competition, particularly during their pre-championship years when they lacked the killer instinct required of elite teams. This tendency manifests most clearly when facing teams with nothing to lose, where the Nuggets often coast through early possessions and find themselves in unexpectedly tight contests. Denver's offensive system, while highly effective, relies heavily on Nikola Jokic's court vision and decision-making. When opponents pack the paint and force role players to beat them, the Nuggets sometimes struggle to maintain their typical offensive efficiency. Their defensive inconsistencies compound this issue, as they've historically allowed backdoor covers even in games they control. The psychological element cannot be ignored either. Denver's altitude advantage works both ways - while visiting teams struggle physically, the Nuggets sometimes appear overly comfortable at home against weaker opponents, leading to lackadaisical starts that create betting value for underdogs. This trend matters most when Denver faces teams on lengthy road trips or those playing back-to-back games, where the perceived mismatch becomes even more pronounced in the betting market.