Denver will see a familiar face. But how will Nets at Nuggets shake out? Here's the betting preview and where to watch.
It's a homecoming for a certain member of the Brooklyn Nets.
But will this star play?
Here now is Fernie Ruano with the betting preview and where to watch Nets at Denver Nuggets:
Hello, again ..Remember me?
Michael Porter Jr., now a core player on a young Nets squad eyeing the 2026 NBA Draft and beyond but who in 2023 was a key piece of the Nuggets' 2023 title run, returns to Denver for the first time on Thursday night since being traded away, when Brooklyn (12-33, 13th in the Eastern Conference), looking to end a six-game losing streak on the third road game of a five-game trip, visit the Nuggets (31-16, 3rd in the Western Conference) for a 9:00 p.m. tipoff at Ball Arena.
In the middle of a dream season, despite having to deal with recent trade speculation as the deadline approaches next week, Porter Jr., dealt by the Nuggets, at the time trying to cure salary cap issues. to the Nets last summer, leads Brooklyn with a career-high 25.2 points a game, but just three years ago was flying high -- as a starting, third-option -- alongside Denver's star big-man Nikola Jovic and guard Jamal Murray.
Porter Jr., who averaged 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game during the 2023 postseason, in addition to spacing the floor and coming down with crucial rebounds, had 16 points and 13 rebounds in Denver's title-clinching win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Additionally, Porter Jr. had 27 points in the Nets 127-115 victory over the Nuggets, earlier this month -- one of two wins for Brooklyn this month.
But the Nets, who received a future first-round draft pick as part of the deal, aside from being 6-16 on the road this season, could definitely use some immediate results, especially coming off a 106-102 loss -- their 14th in 16 games -- against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
To make matters worst, Nets forward Ziare Williams suffered a left calf contusion in a scuffle at the end of the game when a Suns employee ran on the court to breakup the end-of-the-game melee, according to the New York Post. Williams is out vs. the Nuggets. Cam Thomas, second behind Porter Jr. in scoring on the Nets, is averaging 15.9 points per game.
Denver, 6-4 in their last 10 games, but only 12-9 at home this season, have lost three straight on their home floor, including 109-107 to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.The Nuggets were missing four starters -- Jovic, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun -- vs. the Pistons. Murray, averaging 25.9 points per game, has led the Nuggets to an 9-6 record without Jovic. Gordon (hamstring), missing his 24th game of the season, and Braun (ankle) are out tonight.
For the Nets: Noah Clowney (back), Tyrese Martin (knee) and Haywood Highsmith (knee) are out. Egor Demin (foot) is also on rest management.
The Nets vs. Nuggets live TV broadcasts are available on Yes Network and Altitude Sports (on NBA League Pass).
The Nuggets are a 6.5-point favorite per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Based in Miami, Florida, Fernie Ruano is, in part, a sports analyst for Roundtable Sports. Please follow @bet_on_305_fernie on social media and connect at fernieruano@gmail.com.
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