The Denver Nuggets pay a visit to the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Warriors vs Nuggets NBA Prediction. This article will include a Warriors vs Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets reeled off 50 wins last season to earn the 4th seed in the West before they suffered an early exit at the hands of the eventual champions in a thrilling seven-game series in the Conference Semifinals. Nikola Jokic had another terrific season as he led the team with averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Jamal Murray averaged 21.4 points and 6.0 assists per game, Michael Porter Jr averaged 18.2 points, while Christian Braun had a breakout season with averages of 15.4 points per game.
As a team, the Nuggets scored 120.8 points per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from the 3-point line. The Nuggets made some changes in the offseason as they shipped away Michael Porter Jr and Russell Westbrook, while signing Tim Hardaway Jr, Bruce Brown, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas.
Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors must be feeling pretty good about themselves after they were able to take down the Lakers in a 119-109 road win on Tuesday night. Jimmy Butler III led the team with 31 points, five rebounds and four assists on seven of 14 shooting, Stephen Curry added 23 points with four assists on six of 14 shooting while Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield each scored 17 points.
As a team, the Warriors shot 48 percent from the field and 17 of 40 from the 3-point line as they weathered a second-quarter barrage from the Lakers to lead by just one point going into halftime. Before they took control with 35 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 17 points at one stage.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Warriors have won each of their last seven home games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last six Thursday road games.
- The Warriors have covered the spread in each of their last six games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Thursday road games.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have lost three of their last four games as favorites following a win.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home openers.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Nuggets and Warriors.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the last eight games between the Nuggets and Warriors have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Nuggets’ last eight season openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
Golden State Warriors Player Facts
- Stephen Curry ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Jimmy Butler ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Warriors rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (2.0).
- The Warriors rank 1st in the league for free throw percentage this season (89.7%).
Warriors vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets are expecting to have a full squad to choose from in their season opener, while the Warriors are still missing Alex Toohey, Moses Moody and De’Anthony Melton. The Nuggets have opened as slight favorites on the road, and I think it’s justified given that they have won eight of the past nine meetings against the Warriors.
It’s tempting to take the Warriors with the short line at home, especially after they dismantled the Lakers despite a relatively quiet night from Curry. But the Nuggets are healthy, and they owned this matchup over the last two seasons, so I will back the visitors in this spot.