Washington-wizards vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions January 22nd 2026

Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Game Preview

Denver opens a three-game road trip with a quick rematch against Washington after the Nuggets held on in the first meeting. The bigger storyline is roster strain. Denver is still navigating life without its elite interior anchors, and the recent rebound margins have started to bite.

Washington is in a different fight. The Wizards have been competitive in stretches, but closing games has been the problem, and the current skid has created “must-find-a-win” urgency at home.

Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Odds

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Denver Nuggets	-225	-5.5 (-110)	O 231.5 (-110)
Washington Wizards	+185	+5.5 (-110)	U 231.5 (-110)

Denver Nuggets Betting Form

Denver’s offense can still win games because Jamal Murray gives them a reliable half-court engine, and Tim Hardaway Jr. has been a real scoring release valve. The issue is what happens when the shot quality dips late: without the usual rebounding safety net, empty trips stack up fast, and second-chance points swing momentum.

This is also where minutes matter. Denver is leaning hard on a tight group, and the late-game execution has shown some fatigue signs the last couple outings. If the Nuggets defend, rebound “good enough,” and keep turnovers under control, they’re still the more stable side.

More matchup context and form: Denver Nuggets.

Washington Wizards Betting Form

Washington’s young pieces are producing, but the profile is still volatile. Alex Sarr has been the consistent upside driver, and Kyshawn George has had spike scoring games, including against Denver. The problem is the possession-to-possession defense and the ability to finish a close game without leaking points in the final six minutes.

If Washington wants to stay inside this number, the path is clear: compete on the glass, get to the line, and avoid the stretches where the offense turns into late-clock pull-ups. When that happens, Denver can string stops and create separation even without a dominant interior presence.

More matchup context and form: Washington Wizards.

Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Matchup Breakdown

This matchup is about rebounding and late-game shot creation.

• Denver’s edge: Murray-led half-court offense, cleaner execution, and more reliable decision-making late.
• Washington’s edge: athleticism, pace, and the ability to create chaos when Denver’s legs aren’t fresh.
• Swing factor: second-chance points. Denver’s recent rebounding margins are a real concern, and Washington can hang around if it turns misses into extra possessions.

If Denver avoids getting punked on the boards, the Nuggets should be able to control enough of the game to cover this range.

Latest Betting Trends

• Denver’s recent games have been heavily influenced by rebounding margins with key bigs sidelined.
• Washington enters on a seven-game losing streak, but individual scoring production has kept them live in short stretches.

Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Predictions and Best Bets

This is a reasonable road number for Denver. Washington can compete in spurts, but the Wizards still struggle to string together enough clean possessions on both ends to win a full 48-minute script against a disciplined team.

Best Bet: Nuggets -5.5 (-110)

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