Monday night's clash between the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center promises to be a fascinating tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Nuggets are reeling without their MVP centerpiece Nikola Jokić, who's sidelined. Meanwhile, the 76ers are getting their own superstar back, as Joel Embiid is probable to return after missing time.
Nuggets vs 76ers Prediction for Monday Night
Both teams are looking to bounce back after disappointing losses to the Brooklyn Nets in their last outings. Denver fell to the Brooklyn Nets despite a strong effort from Jamal Murray, while Philadelphia dropped a decision at home. With Jokić out of the picture, this game shifts from a marquee center showdown to a test of Denver's depth against a Sixers squad finally getting healthy at the right time.
The timing couldn't be worse for the Nuggets, who've built their championship identity around Jokić's unique skill set. Without their three-time MVP orchestrating the offense, Murray will need to shoulder a much heavier load against a Philadelphia defense that's been gaining momentum.
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Nuggets vs 76ers Betting Odds
Date: Monday, January 5, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM EST
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
TV: Peacock
Here's how the sportsbooks are viewing Monday's inter-conference matchup:
- Moneyline: Sixers -600/Nuggets +440
- Spread: 76ers (11.5) | Nuggets (+11.5)
- Total: Over/Under 230.5 points
Betting odds courtesy of Consensus and DraftKings
The odds tell a clear story about the impact of star power in today's NBA. Philadelphia opens as massive home favorites, with their moneyline sitting at -11.5. That's a reflection of just how much Jokić's absence shifts the competitive balance. Despite the lopsided spread, oddsmakers still expect plenty of scoring with the total set at 230.5 points.
Statistical Breakdown: Nuggets' Offense Faces Tough Test Without Jokić
The numbers reveal just how dramatically this matchup has shifted with the injury news. Denver enters averaging an impressive 23.4 points per game, but those figures are heavily inflated by Jokić's dominant presence. The Serbian center's absence removes not just points per game, but also his assist numbers that make everyone around him better.
Philadelphia's defense has been the more consistent unit this season, holding opponents to a defensive rating compared to Denver's mark. The 76ers also create more chaos defensively, averaging steals and blocks per game versus the Nuggets' steals and blocks.
The key matchup now centers around Murray's ability to carry Denver's offense without Jokić's elite playmaking. Murray's coming off that strong performance, but he'll face a Philadelphia perimeter defense that's been particularly effective at home. That's been particularly effective at home. The 76ers will look to inflate points off turnovers against a restructured Denver offense.
Without Jokić's paint presence, the Nuggets also lose their primary answer to Embiid on both ends of the floor. Philadelphia should aim to capitalize on opportunities when their star center is healthy.
Game Prediction: Embiid's Return Should Spell Trouble for Denver
This feels like a perfect storm situation for the 76ers. Denver's identity has been built around Jokić's unique ability to create advantages through his passing and basketball IQ. Without that foundation, they're essentially a different team trying to find their footing against a Philadelphia squad that's been gaining confidence.
Embiid's probable return creates an immediate size and skill advantage that Denver simply can't match. Murray is certainly capable of explosive scoring nights, but asking him to single-handedly overcome an 11.5-point deficit against a motivated home team feels like too tall an order.
The 76ers should control the paint on both ends, creating second-chance opportunities while limiting Denver's interior scoring. Philadelphia's improved ball movement with a healthy Embiid should also help them pull away in the second half.
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Best Bet: 76ers -11.5 (-118)
While laying double digits is never comfortable, this represents a unique situational advantage. Denver faces one of the league's most dominant interior players. The talent gap is simply too wide to ignore.
Best Player Prop: Joel Embiid Over 25.5 Points
Embiid should feast against Denver's compromised frontcourt. With no legitimate rim protector to challenge him, expect Philadelphia to feed their star early and often. The 25.5-point line feels conservative given the matchup advantage.while Philadelphia dropped a decision at home.