It’s been a slow start to the season for both Michael Porter Jr. and the Denver Nuggets. MPJ is averaging just 12.3 PPG, well below his career average 15.6 PPG. He’s also shooting a career worst 35% from the field and just 20% from three. Porter Jr. is a career 50/40 shooter, so it is only a matter of time until he gets back on track. The Nuggets will face a Brooklyn Nets that is both middle of the pack defensively and in pace of play, making this a neutral matchup, however we’re getting a significant discount.

It's very early, but the Nuggets aren't special and they seem to know it. The Joker can't be as special as he needs to be with the spacing game when nobody can hit outside shots nearly consistent enough. The supporting cast lacks, the Nets can ugly this game up and the Nets can do some damage with their bigs on the boards and in the paint. Won't be enough easy baskets for the Nuggets and Joker looks a little puffier than normal to me and this is an early back-to-back without him really having his wind yet, against a sleepy opponent on the road. Nets playing with some confidence. Nugs needed 126 to win at Toronto; they won't get that high vs this team.

The Nuggets had to go to the well last night to get their first win of the season, requiring OT and 40 points from Nikola Jokic to nip the Raptors in Toronto. Back across the border for The Joker and friends tonight, but Denver still looks to have some issues, with Jamal Murray yet to appear back at a full 100% from his injuries after shooing barely 36% from the floor in the first three games, and Michael Malone's bench missing key pieces from last season, such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (now Orlando). Meanwhile the Nets have been combative in the first week and are off of a thumping of the Bucks on Sunday when Cam Thomas (32 points) was again the featured performer. Play Nets

We pre-jump this with Denver playing tonight in Toronto. The Nuggets certainly hadn't looked remotely championship-worthy yet this season entering that, and they definitely could sit someone like Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. in the second of a B2B and third in four nights on Tuesday. Nikola Jokic almost never gets those off if healthy, though. We backed the Nets as nearly double-digit dogs on Sunday in their home opener vs. Milwaukee and they won by 11. Brooklyn is a decent team that will pull some upsets this year. Ben Simmons won't play Tuesday but not like that matters.