Jan. 21, 2026, 11:44 p.m. ET

The Denver Nuggets (29-15) face the Washington Wizards (10-32) Thursday in Washington, D.C. Tip-off from Capital One Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Wizards odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Nuggets lead 1-0 with 121-115 home win Jan. 17

The Nuggets suffered a second straight loss Tuesday, falling 115-107 to the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver failed to cover as 3-point home underdogs with the Under (228.5) cashing. G Jamal Murray scored 28 points and dished 11 assists, although 26 of those points came in the first half. C Nikola Jokic missed his 12th game with a hyperextended left knee.

The Wizards dropped their seventh straight game Monday, falling 110-106 to the LA Clippers. Washington covered as 6.5-point home underdogs as the Under (226.5) cashed. C Alex Sarr scored 28 points to lead the Wizards, and F Kyshawn George added 18 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Washington was outscored 60-38 in the paint. G Trae Young has yet to play since being acquired from the Atlanta Hawks.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Nuggets at Wizards odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:34 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Wizards +185 (bet $100 to win $185)Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -5.5 (-110) | Wizards +5.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Nuggets at Wizards key injuries

Nuggets

G Christian Braun (ankle) outF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) probableG Tim Hardaway Jr. (knee) probableC Nikola Jokic (knee) outG Jamal Murray (hip) probableC Jonas Valanciunas (calf) questionable

Wizards

F Marvin Bagley III (illness) questionableG Bilal Coulibaly (back) questionableG AJ Johnson (illness) questionableF Khris Middleton (illness) questionableF Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Nuggets at Wizards picks and predictionsPrediction

Nuggets 118, Wizards 114

PASS.

The Nuggets (-225) likely have enough to get the victory, but it won’t be easy against this Wizards (+185) squad at home.

BET WIZARDS +5.5 (-110).

The Wizards continue to show value against the Nuggets, covering the spread in 4 of the last 5 meetings. Denver has struggled to find consistency lately, failing to cover in 3 straight games, while Washington has covered 2 in a row.

The Nuggets remain without Jokic and likely Valanciunas, a loss that has severely impacted their rebounding and interior defense. Denver has been outworked on the glass in consecutive games, including a lopsided second-chance deficit in the previous meeting with Washington. The Wizards took advantage, controlling the paint and generating easy looks, with George and Sarr leading the way. Washington has also been more reliable at home against the number, while Denver’s thin frontcourt leaves little margin for error in this matchup.

This is a game best left alone. The number is difficult to trust with Denver shorthanded and Washington allowing 123.6 points per game, 29th in the NBA. The Nuggets are 5-5 against the total over their last 10, while the Wizards are 6-4 to the Over in that span. With inconsistent personnel and unpredictable game flow, there are too many variables to project confidently. The safer approach is to PASS on this matchup.

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