San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets (Game 7): Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets

Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO

When: Saturday, April 27th at 10:00 PM EST

How (TV): TNT

Series Standing: 3-3 Tie

San Antonio Spurs (Away)

Head Coach: Gregg Popovich {All-Time 1245-575 | SAS}

Season Record: 48-34

Projected Starting Five: (G) Derrick White – (G) Demar Derozan – (G) Bryn Forbes – (F) LaMarcus Aldridge – (C) Jakob Poeltl

Top Performers:

• F Lamarcus Aldridge – 21.3 PPG | 9.2 RPG | 1.3 BPG
• G Demar Derozan – 21.2 PPG | 6.2 APG | 6.0 RPG
• F Rudy Gay – 13.7 PPG | 6.8 RPG | .402 3P%

The San Antonio Spurs forced Game 7 in Denver with an impressively gritty yet composed effort in Game 6, in San Antonio. A team effort was on display as the Spurs were able to overcome a massive performance from Denver’s Jokic.

Five different Spurs scored in double-digits in their last match, while the team as a whole shot 57% from the field. On top of that, the Spurs converted on 42% of their three-point attempts in 24 attempts.

The odds are against them in Game 7 as they enter hostile territory. Denver is notoriously difficult to play in, so the Spurs will have to muster all their focus if they hope to advance to the second round.

Denver Nuggets (Home)

Head Coach: Mike Malone {All-Time 54-28 | SAC, DEN}

Season Record: 54-28

Projected Starting Five: (G) Jamal Murray – (G) Gary Harris – (F) Torrey Craig – (F) Paul Millsap – (C) Nikola Jokic

Top Performers:

• C Nikola Jokic – 20.1 PPG | 10.8 RPG | 7.3 APG
• G Jamal Murray – 18.2 PPG | 4.8 APG | .367 3P%
• F Paul Millsap – 12.6 PPG | 7.2 RPG | 2.9 DWS

Despite an absolutely massive game from Nikola Jokic in Game 6, the Denver Nuggets were unable to overcome the San Antonio Spurs. They enter Game 7 on home court and with a renewed focus to advance to the second round.

The Nuggets received ample contributions from their starters but lost a step whenever they relied on their bench. No player for the Nuggets posted a positive +/- on the game.

They’ll have to prove themselves when they take on the Spurs in Game 7. Was their regular season a fluke? Or are they truly a force to be reckoned with? We’ll see when they face off.

What’s At Stake?

In 187 regular season games, the San Antonio Spurs lead the Denver Nuggets 118-69.

These two teams have shared a series six times in the NBA Playoffs, since 1983. The Spurs have the all-time series lead, 5-1.

It is a winner-take-all Game 7 between Denver and San Antonio. The winner will face off with the Portland Trail Blazers while the loser will be thrust into the offseason.

The Spurs Offence Is Perfect

Always known for an incredibly egalitarian and efficient offense, Gregg Popovich’s side really found their groove in Game 6. Oddly, their improvement came from the three-point line after benching one of the NBA’s best shooters.

The Spurs scored more points from three in Game 6 than they have in any game previous in the series. They attempted 24 three-point field-goals while converting on ten of them.

DeMar DeRozan’s second effort earns your Heads Up Play of the Day! pic.twitter.com/bwaWAbVCSD

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 26, 2019

Their inside-out attack was worked to perfection due to the almost balletic footwork and ball control of Demar DeRozan. He was able to get anywhere he wanted, shooting 12-16 from the field in 36 minutes of play. If he can continue this run and get his teammates involved, we’ll be seeing the Spurs in the second round.

Game 6 Was A Waste For Denver

The Denver Nuggets put together a chance to win the game and it was all for naught. Nikola Jokic tried to carry his team to the finish line, but the struggles of the bench counteracted his production.

Jokic finished with an incredible 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists on the evening. Unfortunately, not a single bench player contributed more than five points in the game. Against the depth of the Spurs, that’s not enough.

It all comes down to the Nuggets and should they lose nobody but themselves are to blame. They have homecourt advantage and a raucous crowd behind them. Expect their entire roster to leave it out on the court.

San Antonio Spurs Roster Notes

G Dejounte Murray – 13 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Knee) – Murray is making progress and is practicing on his own, but he’s not expected to play this season, according to Jeff Garcia of FOXSanAntonio.com. He had ACL surgery on his knee before the season started.

Denver Nuggets Roster Notes

F Michael Porter – 21 Mar 2019 – Out (Back) – Porter Jr. has been participating in light contact 3-on-3 drills in practice, but is still a long shot to return this year according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.

X-Factors: Rudy Gay (SAS) vs Will Barton (DEN)

Two electric bench scorers face off when Rudy Gay and Will Barton take the court. Both of these teams boast deep bench production, but these two are the leaders of their respective lineups. Their success is usually an indicator of their teams’ success.

Rudy Gay

Small Forward | 6-8, 230lb (203cm, 104kg) | UConn | Exp. 12 Years

13.7 PPG | 2.6 APG | 6.8 RPG | 0.8 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.7 TOV | .504 FG% | .402 3P%

Rudy Gay is still a long athletic talent with value on both ends of the court. In games where he shoots poorly and fails to perform, the Spurs have lost. They’ve won when he produces well.

In his last match, Rudy Gay had 19 points and 4 rebounds on 7-11 shooting from the field, far and away his best performance of the post-season. He was also 3-3 from three, only adding to what was a 17 point win.

Gay is the only player for the Spurs that can create his own shot off of the bench. Where Belinelli and Mills rely on moving off of screens, Gay can beat an opponent from anywhere. If he can take advantage, it really opens up the court for his teammates.

Will Barton

Small Forward | 6-6, 190lb (198cm, 86kg) | Memphis | Exp. 6 Years

11.5 PPG | 2.9 APG | 4.6 RPG | 0.4 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.5 TOV | .402 FG% | .342 3P%

Will Barton struggled in Game 2 and 3 against the Spurs. After a three and four-point night in those games, Head Coach Mike Malone forced his wing to the bench in favor for the hard-nosed Torrey Craig.

While his raw numbers were better, Barton’s efficiency left a lot to be desired in their back to back wins in Game 4 and 5.

Most recently Barton was a no-show, posting only two points on 1-7 shooting from the field. As Barton goes, so do the Nuggets bench. He’s a talented scorer, without his contributions the Nuggets have a tough time beating their opposition.

San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets Predictions and Odds

This is a difficult match to predict. The youthful exuberance and homecourt advantage of the Nuggets versus the maturity and savvy of the San Antonio Spurs. Both teams are expected to leave it all out on the floor.

If you reside in New Jersey you can bet on the NBA Playoff game 7 between the Spurs and the Nuggets, here:

* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER