The Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors have both bought their properties in the playoffs, but their meeting this Tuesday could serve as a preview of the Western Conference Finals, so that’s at least one reason to watch this game. Going into the matchup, NBA Futures price the Warriors at 1200 to win the 2019 NBA Championship, while the Nuggets are listed at +1600 despite having an equal (to Golden State) win-loss record at press.
The Nuggets are aiming to build momentum as they head into the playoffs, where they haven’t been to since 2013. And there’s arguably no better way to achieve that agenda by defeating their potential rival in the Western Conference Finals in the form of Golden State. Beating the Warriors will surely go a long way in feeding the Nuggets’ confidence. For one, they have lost the last two meetings with the Warriors this season. Thus far on the season, Denver is 2-1 SU against the Dubs, winning the first meeting, 100-98, at home. Nikola Jokic gave an early preview of what was then to come from him the rest of the season in that game, as the Serbian unicorn pumped out 23 points to go with 11 rebounds and six assists. Gary Harris, meanwhile, paced Denver with 28 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the field. While Harris has been slowed down by injuries since that game, Jokic has remained a dominant force on the floor. In three matchups with Golden State thus far this season, Jokic has averaged 18.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.
The Nuggets are 7-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last eight games in the Bay Area against the Warriors.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors (51-24 Record)
After hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday and full rest on Monday, the Warriors will get back on the court for a fourth meeting with the Nuggets. As mentioned earlier, Golden State has won the last two dates with Denver, thanks in large part to the Warriors’ loaded roster. The Warriors handily won both of those games. They edged the Nuggets on the road in January, 142-111, then again at home on Mar. 8, 122-105. The Warriors are tops in the NBA with a 48.8 fiel goal percentage, but they are even better shooting from the floor when they’re up against Denver. In fact, they’ve shot 53.5 percent in three games against the Nuggets this season. In their win earlier this month against Denver, the Warriors shot 53.6 percent from the field and went 18-for-35 from deep. Golden State will always welcome a challenge from any team to engage in a shootout, and the Nuggets have failed twice when they did. Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant all have their guns hot whenever they face Denver. Thompson is averaging 28.3 points per game against Denver this season, while Curry and Durant are putting up 26.0 and 24.3, respectively. Having DeMarcus Cousins will also help soften the impact of Jokic. Slowing Jokic down is a huge key to Golden State’s success this Tuesday.
The Warriors are 2-0 ATS in their last two games against Denver.
