The Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors collide in a New Year's Eve showdown.
The pregame narrative: Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are out for Denver, meaning others will have to pick up the slack. Bruce Brown is a player I'm looking to shine in their absence. Jamal Murray is now the main focus for opposing defences, which is why I'm fading him.
Check out my Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets for Dec. 31, featuring predictions for Brandon Ingram.
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Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets
Best Bet: Brown over 9.5 points (-120)
Brown's offensive numbers are up recently, and I want in.
Firstly, his minutes are up. Brown is averaging 28.0 minutes played across his last seven games, more than four minutes above his season average before this stretch (23.7).
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Naturally, that's leading to more offensive production. Brown has scored 11-plus points in five games during this run and is coming off a 15-point performance against the Miami Heat.
The Raptors are an average matchup for opposing guards, but this is more of a play on Denver's current offensive situation.
With Jokic out, specifically, there are plenty of looks available in the Nuggets' offence.
If a few more opportunities go Brown's way, he'll keep doing what he has been: beating this line.
Key stat: Brown has an effective field-goal percentage of .667 percent over his last seven contests.
Raptors picks and predictions
Ingram under 22.5 points (-118): Ingram is having a strong season, but I'm skeptical of his chances of having an above-average offensive night.
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The small forward's production has been sporadic lately. He's topped 25 points in two of his last five games, but he's failed to hit 20 in the other three contests.
This isn't a number the Raptors star is beating consistently, either. Ingram is only averaging 21.9 points per game this season.
Murray under 3.5 threes (-143): Lastly, I'm fading Murray's three-point prop.
The Kitchener, Ontario, native is having his best three-point shooting season. He's averaging a personal best of 3.5 makes and 7.7 attempts per contest.
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Murray has cooled off, however, in his last couple of games. He's hit only two in each of those contests.
I expect Toronto's defence to pay Murray extra attention with Jokic out. Look for the Raptors to clamp down on what he does best and make his life difficult from beyond the arc.
Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets made at 10:28 a.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2025.
