Early Christmas Present - Ja Morant vs. Nikola Jokic on Tuesday!
It’s Ja Morant vs. Nikola Jokic in a battle of MVP candidates on Tuesday night in Denver!
The 19-10 Grizzlies visit the 18-11 Nuggets in Denver on Tuesday in what should be a battle of a couple MVP candidates. Both teams are coming in hot, winning four of their last five games, and Nikola Jokic has been out of his mind lately. The Joker is averaging a ridiculous 29.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 1.7 steals over his last 10 games and is coming off a line for the ages. He abused the Hornets for 40 points, 27 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and two 3-pointers in a 119-115 win on Sunday. That was his fifth triple-double of the season and he had 20 rebounds in the first half alone, setting a franchise record. He’s just the second player in history to have at least 37 points, 27 rebounds and 10 assists, joining Wilt Chamberlain, who (of course) did that seven times. Jokic has crept up to No. 4 on the MVP odds at +700, trailing only Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and leader Jayson Tatum. Jokic just is eventually going to have a 30-30 game and he only missed it by three rebounds on Sunday. Jokic should go off against Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr. tonight.
Ja Morant, who checks in at 10th on the MVP odds list at +2500, is coming off a rough one after being ejected on Saturday for ‘questioning the integrity’ of a referee. After seeing Luka Doncic get (inappropriately) tossed on Monday night, it’s time for Adam Silver to have a chat with these officials. It’s hard enough to get NBA stars on the court every night in this day and age and we don’t need them being tossed for showing a little frustration. The Grizzlies had their seven-game winning streak snapped after Ja was tossed after just 16 minutes of action, while his six points were a season low and his first game without hitting double figures in scoring. Ja is averaging 26.7 points, a career-high 6.7 rebounds, a career-high 7.7 assists, 1.1 steals and a career-high 1.7 3-pointers. He should be well rested and ready to go off tonight.
Jamal Murray (left ankle) is questionable tonight and his availability will be a key factor in this game. Jokic is also on the injury report, but the fact that he’s listed as probable should mean he plays. This one will feature the best veteran center in the league against one of the best up-and-comers in Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks (Memphis) and Aaron Gordon (Denver) are also going to have big roles in this one. I like the fact Denver is at home and in the altitude and only giving up one point.
Pick: Nuggets -1
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Prop Picks
Ja Morant over 28.5 points
Nikola Jokic over 10.5 rebounds
Jaren Jackson Jr. over 5.5 rebounds
Bruce Brown over 3.5 assists
