For the first time since perhaps last year’s playoffs, the Golden State Warriors may actually have a game to be motivated for when they host the Denver Nuggets tonight. The Warriors’ listless play this season has been a huge source of frustration for bettors and with home court for the Western Conference playoffs on the line, this one should have the feel of the postseason.
The Warriors opened as 8-point favorites with a total of 220.5.
Nuggets vs Warriors Game Center
STANDOUT STATS
- In three games vs the Nuggets this season, the Warriors have shot over 50 percent from the floor while shooting 44 percent from behind the arc. The Dubs won two of those games, with Golden State beating Denver by 17 at Oracle Arena on March 8.
- The Warriors have been one of the worst spread bets in the NBA at 32-43-1 ATS, with the Knicks and Lakers having a one-game lead on them for the basement. They’re also 8-11 ATS in 19 games since the all-star break, including 3-6 ATS in nine home games.
- The Nuggets are 8-12 ATS in their last 20 road games. They average seven fewer points scored per game on the road compared to home games this season and shoot a woeful 44.8 percent from the field in road games to rank 22nd.
- The Nuggets’ calling card all season has been their defense and since the all-star break, their effort on that end of the floor has carried them to a 12-7 SU record. They’re only allowing 106.7 points per game while limiting opponents to 33.9 percent from behind the arc (ranked second) on 32.1 attempts (ranked 15th).
- Nuggets games have a penchant for going UNDER as the totals have hit below what was expected in 24 of their 38 road games and 16 of their last 19 overall (avg. combined score: 213.2). The UNDER has also hit in eight of their last 10 away from the Pepsi Center and those games had an average combined score of 214.2.
- The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the Warriors’ last 15 games (avg. combined score: 221.4) and in nine of their last 11 games vs Western Conference teams.
My Best Bet for Nuggets-Warriors
Warriors -8
I heavily considered taking the UNDER because both teams have been strong plays on that front lately but I think this is the game where the Warriors put the clamps down and remind the basketball world that they’re the undisputed champs. When they hosted the Nuggets just over three weeks ago, the Warriors shot over 50 percent from behind the arc while killing Denver on the fast break.
Klay Thompson had a monster game with 39 points and each starter notched double-digit points en route to the 17-point win. I know I’m playing with fire by taking such a large spread between the 1- and 2-seeded teams in the West but there is no team I’d rather have to put up points in a hurry than the Warriors and maybe the Bucks.
