Game: Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Nuggets +7, Warriors -7
Total: 216.5
Fresh off a Christmas Day win over Phoenix, the Golden State Warriors will host Denver tonight. The Nuggets have had their fair share of struggles this season, but they did win on Sunday. Denver beat the Clippers 103-100 behind a 20-20 performance from Nikola Jokic, last year’s NBA MVP. Jokic had 26 points and 22 rebounds for his second straight 20-20 game and the sixth of his career.
Jokic is actually enjoying another MVP-like season averaging 25.9 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. The problem is the Nuggets are just 16-16 overall. Jamal Murray is still out of the lineup and Denver has never really reached what it’s capable of this season. They will have their hands full tonight with what very well could be the best team in basketball.
One thing Denver has always had a tough time with is defending Golden State star Stephen Curry. The former NBA MVP is also having an MVP-caliber season averaging 27.9 points per game, which is second in the NBA. He dropped 33 in the win over Phoenix and has scored 30-plus for the Warriors in the team’s last four straight games.
On top of that, Curry has lit up the Nuggets the last three times the two teams have played. In those three games, Curry is averaging 40.0 points per game. Golden State won two of the three games and won by an average margin of 15 points.
Denver might not have Aaron Gordon tonight. He is listed as questionable as is Bol Bol. Monte Morris has been upgraded to probable. Jokic may have himself a night as the only center that will be active tonight is Kevon Looney. Draymond Green is out tonight as are Damion Le and Moses Moody. The good news for Golden State is that Andrew Wiggins, Andre Iguodala, and Jordan Poole are all listed as probable for tonight.
The Warriors are the fourth-best team, in terms of offensive efficiency, in the league and the best defense. Golden State ranks No. 1 in defensive efficiency. The Warriors have won six of the past eight meetings with Denver and they are 15-1 in their last 16 games at home. The Under is 8-2 in the last 10 Warriors-Nuggets games. Golden State is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings between the two teams.
The Warriors have also been covering the number recently. They are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games and have been good to bettors all season. Golden State has a 21-10-2 record ATS for the season. They are 13-4-1 ATS at home so far.
Denver is 1-4 ATS in its last five games. For the season, the Nuggets are 13-19 ATS and 7-11 ATS when playing on the road. The total has gone Over in 13 of Denver’s last 17 games and 10 of the last 13 played on the road.