The Denver Nuggets have reached the 50-win plateau 12 times since joining the NBA, including each of the last three seasons. They’ve only hit the mark in four consecutive campaigns once (2007-08 to 2010-11), but they’re two victories away from the accomplishing the feat a second time.
Denver (48-28) can move a step closer to that goal when they visit the Delta Center in Salt Lake City to face the struggling Utah Jazz (21-55) at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The Nuggets, who already have clinched a playoff berth, also are looking to match their longest winning streak of the season – a seven-game run from Nov. 3-15.
While Denver is soaring, Utah is spiraling in the opposite direction. The Jazz are in the midst of a six-game losing streak and have gone 3-18 over their last 21 contests. The club also has dropped nine consecutive meetings with the Nuggets, including three this season.
Eight other games are on Wednesday’s NBA schedule, including a matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks (30-45) and Houston Rockets (46-29) at 8 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center. The Rockets have won three games in a row as they strive to make their second straight postseason appearance following a four-year drought and posted a 122-115 at Milwaukee earlier this campaign.
The MLB slate is full with 15 games but only two in the evening. One of those has the Kansas City Royals (2-2) continuing their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins (1-3) at 7:40 p.m. ET at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals took the opener 3-1 as Kyle Isbel and Isaac Collins homered while Kris Bubic combined with three relievers on a four-hitter.
Only three games are on the NHL schedule, with one pitting the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks (41-28-5) against the San Jose Sharks (34-31-7) at 9 p.m. ET at the SAP Center. The Ducks have followed a four-game winning streak with back-to-back losses (0-1-1) while the Sharks, who are just two points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild-card berth in the Western Conference, have won their last two contests after having dropped six in a row (0-5-1).
The Nuggets are 16.5-point favorites against the Jazz in the latest consensus NBA odds while the Rockets are 17-point favorites over the Bucks. The Twins are -120 favorites on the money line against the Royals and the Ducks are -114 favorites against the Sharks.
Below is a snapshot of what to watch and bet for Wednesday, April 1. All times Eastern
NBA best bets, where to watch
Bucks at Rockets
Time: 8 p.m. | Location: Houston | TV: NBA League Pass | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine picks — Model: Bucks +17 (-110) | Expert: Reed Sheppard Over 2.5 3-pointers made (-137, Mike Barner)
The Bucks have gone 2-5 over their last seven games, and each of those defeats were by double digits – including four by at least 31 points. But Milwaukee is coming off a 24-point victory over the Dallas Mavericks and hasn’t lost to Houston by 17 or more points since Jan. 18, 2017. The SportsLine Projection Model doesn’t see it happening on Wednesday as the Bucks cover the spread in 68% of its simulations. Houston guard Reed Sheppard has made at least three shots from 3-point range in five of his last six home games, and SportsLine NBA expert Mike Barner (89-49, +3042 on his last 138 NBA player prop picks) likes him to do so against the Bucks.
Nuggets at Jazz
Time: 9 p.m. | Location: Salt Lake City | TV: NBA League Pass | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine picks — Model: Jazz +16.5 (-105) | Expert: Cody Williams Over 17.5 points + assists (-122, PropBetGuy)
Yes, two of Utah’s last four losses were by at least 23 points. Five of the first seven defeats during its current nine-game losing streak against Denver were by 19 or more points. But the Jazz played the Nuggets tough in their last two meetings, falling by a combined nine points in those setbacks. The SportsLine Projection Model feels the Jazz will avoid being demolished in Wednesday’s matchup as its simulations have them covering the spread 60% of the time. Utah forward Cody Williams is coming off a 26-point, four-assist performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers and SportsLine props expert PropBetGuy (155-130, +507 on his last 285 NBA player prop picks) believes he’ll combine for at least 18 points and assists for the ninth time in 11 outings.
MLB best bets, where to watch
Twins at Royals
Time: 7:40 p.m. | Location: Kansas City, Mo. | TV: MLB.tv | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine pick — Model: Under 8.5 (-117)
The bats haven’t heated up yet for the Twins or Royals. Minnesota has scored four runs or fewer in three of its first four games, while Kansas City has not eclipsed the four-run mark in four outings. Only one of the teams’ eight combined contests has finished with a total of more than eight runs scored, and the Twins and Royals produced four in Monday’s series opener. Minnesota right-hander Joe Ryan has posted a 2.02 ERA in 11 career starts against Kansas City, while Royals left-hander Noah Cameron gave up one run over 12 1/3 innings in two turns against the Twins as a rookie last season. Taking all of this into account, the SportsLine Projection Model sees a low-scoring affair as the Under hits in almost 64% of its simulations.
NHL best bets, where to watch
Ducks at Sharks
Time: 9 p.m. | Location: San Jose | TV: TNT | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine pick — Model: Sharks -105
The Pacific Division rivals are trending in opposite directions, as the Ducks have lost back-to-back games while the Sharks have won their last two contests. Anaheim is just two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for first place in the division, but San Jose is in desperation mode as it is among four teams trailing the Nashville Predators by fewer than three points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. These clubs split their first two meetings of the season, although the Sharks posted a 5-4 victory in their most recent encounter. The SportsLine Projection Model thinks San Jose will extend its overall winning streak to three games as its simulations have the Sharks winning 55% of the time.