Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/14/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Nuggets: 40-28

76ers: 41-25 

Nothing like a good old fashioned matchup between two teams with MVP candidates that have been struggling as of late to put all their anger into one matchup and just yell at the clouds.

For the Denver Nuggets, they've lost two in a row going into this matchup on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, but off two losses that come off games that you wonder if they should've actually lost them. Denver is coming off a 127-115 loss at home to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday that saw Denver give up 23 offensive rebounds.

Nikola Jokic finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but the reigning MVP was not happy with that type of performance.

"That's unacceptable," Jokic said. "They had more offensive than defensive (rebounds), it seemed like. We just need to do a better job than today."

The Nuggets are going to need that knowing the challenge that awaits them. Whenever there's a battle between Jokic and Joel Embiid, a likely battle of the last two MVP winners should Embiid continue this tear, you know there's likely a seismic shift in how this game will be approached. It's like a battle of the modern-day titans in which both can shoot, dominate the glass and pass as stellar as they can.

But there's been no denying that the Nuggets have been one of the better teams over the past month. Denver has gone 10-3 in its last 13 games while averaging close to 118 points per game and giving up 112. As a group, the Nuggets are shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 35 percent from 3-point range. Keep in mind this is without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. With the possibility that both come back rather soon should everything fall according to place, it might make things interesting for the Nuggets with reinforcements on the way.

It hasn't happened often to the point where I have to be overtly concerned with the Philadelphia 76ers because one game against a team that had revenge on the mind more than they did really shouldn't stick.

Don't tell that to the Philadelphia fans that wanted their team to annihilate the Brooklyn Nets and stick it to their former All-Star who doesn't play with them anymore, but rather just watch Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving do their thing in a 129-100 loss last week in the first meeting between the teams since their blockbuster trade featuring Ben Simmons and James Harden.

In his first game against his former team, it was not the brightest time for Harden. He shot 3 of 17 from the floor and finished with 11 points. Embiid, meanwhile, shot just 5 of 17 but went 15 of 19 from the free-throw line.

But all wasn't too horrible the next time out with Philly, getting a win over the Orlando Magic, but only 116-114 in overtime on Sunday. This will be Philly's second leg of a back-to-back but the fact they got the win after that abysmal showing has to be a good sign. Harden had another rough shooting night going 5 for 19 and finishing with 26 points, while Embiid had 35 points and 16 rebounds despite shooting just 9 of 28 from the floor.

"I would like to get off to a good start, but it's almost like we've got to get punched in the mouth before we turn on our defensive intensity," Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said. "That stretch of defense in the third quarter was phenomenal, but we have to start the game that way."

We knew this adjustment with Harden and Embiid wasn't going to be fully seamless, and anyone who thought that would be the case is lying to themselves. It wasn't going to be an undefeated run in the cards for Philly but there's still a chance they can eat some worlds.

"This was a big win for us. I know people are like: ‘Oh, it's the Orlando Magic.' But they just beat the Timberwolves the other night and the Timberwolves came back and beat the Miami Heat," said Georges Niang, who hit two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help send the game into overtime. "That should tell you something about the NBA."

There's going to be some travel involved with Philadelphia and I'm wondering how much that's going to impact the Sixers facing a rested Denver team. I want Philly to succeed, but sheesh, this is going to be a rough run a bit here. Nuggets by 10

The over is 16-5 when the Nuggets fail to cover the spread in four or five of their last six games.

The over is 14-4 when the Nuggets play six or more games in 10 days.

The 76ers are 20-21 ATS as a favorite this season.

PG: Monte Morris

SG: Will Barton

SF: Aaron Gordon

PF: Jeff Green

C: Nikola Jokic

PG: Tyrese Maxey

SG: James Harden

SF: Matisse Thybulle

PF: Tobias Harris

C: Nikola Jokic

Points: Nikola Jokic -- 26.1

Rebounds: Nikola Jokic -- 13.8 

Assists: Nikola Jokic -- 8.1

Points: Joel Embiid -- 29.7

Rebounds: Joel Embiid -- 11.2

Assists: Tyrese Maxey -- 4.4