A huge 12-game slate on Thursday, with plenty of teams returning on no rest, including both the Lakers and Spurs. However, Denver and Boston will enter this contest fresh as two of the best teams in the NBA this season.
Denver Nuggets @ Boston Celtics
The Nuggets have been smashed by injuries, missing their entire starting five against the 76ers last start, but it didn’t matter as their bench players still recorded an overtime win.
The Celtics are a much tougher proposition though, currently sitting second in the East with a 23-12 record despite no Jayson Tatum. With this game in Boston, it won’t be easy for the Jokic-less Nuggets.
LEG 1 - Derrick White 6+ Assists
White has produced consistent numbers at point for the Celtics over the last three weeks. While he is averaging 6.1 assists across his last nine games, the coverage rate remains strong.
Across those nine games, White has hit 6+ assists seven times, including the last four, with seven assists in each of his past three outings.
LEG 2 - Tim Hardaway 10+ Points
Hardaway has been an important off-season acquisition for a Nuggets team that has struggled with bench depth in recent seasons.
With a number of injuries to their starters, Hardaway has stepped up. Without Jokic, he is averaging 16.7 points across three games, while his numbers without Braun are even more impressive, hitting 10+ points in 17 of 20 games.
Braun is likely to return, but the minutes should not dry up for Hardaway in this spot.
LEG 3 - Aaron Gordon 15+ Points
Despite being interrupted by injury, Aaron Gordon has been excellent when on the court this season.
Averaging 18.9 points per game, Gordon has hit 15+ in eight of his last nine appearances, with the lone miss coming in a three-minute outing against the Rockets before leaving injured.
There is a major offensive opportunity here without Jokic if Gordon suits up.
Same Game Multi
Gordon 15+ Points / Hardaway 10+ Points / White 6+ Assists = $3.60
VALUE BET
Jamal Murray 10+ Assists @ $2.15
Murray has the keys to the Nuggets offense without Jokic, and he showed exactly what he is capable of last start as the focal point of the team.
He finished with 16 assists against the Nets in a monster all-round performance.
Murray is averaging just over 7.2 assists this season, a figure that includes games alongside Jokic. With Jokic sidelined, there is no reason he cannot push into double figures again here.
