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Nuggets vs Spurs prediction NBA · Sunday, February 28

Sun, Feb 28 · 1:00 PM ETMoody Center · ABC
26% win DENwin SA 74%
FavoriteSA
Projected margin8.1
Projected total231
ConfidenceMedium

At a glance

The San Antonio Spurs (3-2) host the Denver Nuggets (2-2) on Sunday, February 28 at 1:00 PM ET at Moody Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Spurs a 74% chance to win and projects a 111-119 score (Nuggets – Spurs), about 231 total points. This season, the Spurs are 1-2 at home and the Nuggets are 1-1 on the road. Since the start of the season: 3-2 for the Spurs and 2-2 for the Nuggets (current streaks: Spurs W3, Nuggets W1). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 25% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Alpha Diallo (Nuggets), Cameron Johnson (Nuggets), Spencer Jones (Nuggets), Julian Strawther (Nuggets), Tobias Harris (Spurs) and Jayden Quaintance (Spurs). Prediction confidence: medium.

The analysis Model

On paper, the Spurs dominate this matchup. The model projects Spurs 119 – 111 Nuggets, a margin of about 8.1 points in favor of the Spurs and a total around 231 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Spurs will be without Tobias Harris or Jayden Quaintance. The Nuggets will be without Alpha Diallo or Cameron Johnson (and 2 others). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.

  • The overall strength gap (+6.6 vs +2.6 pts/game) is the main factor.
  • The Nuggets need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
  • The Spurs' defense allows clearly fewer points (111.1 pts/game).

What tips the balance

In points, positive = edge Spurs
Team strength (adjusted point differential)SA +6.6 / DEN +2.6 per game
+4.0
Home-court advantageSpurs at home
+2.3
InjuriesSA: 2 out, 0 questionable · DEN: 4 out, 0 questionable
+1.8
Expected marginfor Spurs
+8.1

Scenarios

Spurs win by 10+
44%
Close game (margin ≤ 5)
25%
Nuggets win by 10+
7%

Stat comparison Current season

DENSA
119.2
Points scored / game
118.9
116.2
Points allowed / game
111.1
45.8 %
Field goal %
46.0 %
32.8 %
3-point %
34.6 %
34.3
3-pointers attempted / game
38.2
79.6 %
Free throw %
78.3 %
44.5
Rebounds / game
45.0
26.0
Assists / game
28.2
10.0
Steals / game
9.8
4.8
Blocks / game
6.6
15.3
Turnovers / game
12.8

Players to watch

Nuggets
Jamal MurrayG · #2722.5pts / game
Nikola JokicC · #159.0assists
Nikola JokicC · #1510.5rebounds
Spurs
Victor WembanyamaF · #125.0pts / game
De'Aaron FoxG · #47.0assists
Victor WembanyamaF · #111.4rebounds

Recent form

Last 5 games (including preseason early in the season)
DEN
WLAL121-106LOKC96-84WNO141-135 OTLGS134-114WNO104-91
SA
LOKC116-104LHOU114-110WDAL122-106WSAC130-103WUTAH117-111 OT

Head-to-head

3 meetings scheduled this season.

Second opinion

Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.

Basketlog
DEN 26% · SA 74%
ESPN BPI
DEN 29% · SA 71%

✓ Both models pick the same favorite.

Team comparison

DENSA
2-2Record3-2
119.2Points scored / game118.9
116.2Points allowed / game111.1
+2.6Adjusted margin / game+6.6
W1Current streakW3
2-2Last 10 games3-2
1-1 roadHome / road record1-2 home
54-28 (+5.2)Last season62-20 (+8.3)
NoPlayed yesterdayNo

Denver Nuggets Injury report Nuggets

Alpha Diallo FOut
Cameron Johnson FOut
Spencer Jones FOut
Julian Strawther GOut

San Antonio Spurs Injury report Spurs

Tobias Harris FOut
Jayden Quaintance FOut

Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.