The NBA Western Conference leaders, the Denver Nuggets, will host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night (Friday morning UK time). The Nuggets go into the game leading the Western Conference with a record of 35-16.
Head coach Michael Malone has the Nuggets on course to win the Western Conference, but the Memphis Grizzlies, a surprise package in the NBA this season, are just three games back. Golden State are one of the marquee teams in the Western Conference with a star-studded line-up.
The reigning NBA Champions are not having the season many basketball onlookers would have expected. The Warriors are seventh in the Western Conference and nine games behind Denver in the race for the first seed in the playoffs. As it stands, Golden State are only in an NBA playoff play-in position.
Head coach Steve Kerr watched the Warriors lose for the 25th time this season on Wednesday night in Minnesota. The Warriors fell 119-114 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a difficult defeat for Golden State, as they are chasing the Timberwolves for the sixth position in the playoffs. Golden State will play a back-to-back on Thursday night versus Denver, stretching their fitness. Denver, on the other hand, have not played since Tuesday.
Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Betting Odds
The Denver Nuggets go into the game as the heavy favourite according to leading bookmakers. The Nuggets are at odds of 1/6 to win the game in regulation and continue their brilliant form in the Western Conference. Denver are playing at home, which bodes well for a win, while Golden State will play for the second straight night on the road after losing to the Timberwolves in Minnesota last night.
Denver have a home record of 23-4 this season. The Nuggets are playing their best basketball at Ball Arena compared to their results on the road. Away from Denver, the Nuggets are playing .500 basketball. The Nuggets are playing well against Western Conference teams and have a record of 26-10.
Golden State’s best betting odds to win on Thursday night in the NBA are at 9/2. The Warriors have been abysmal on the road in the NBA this season with a record of 7-19. Against Western Conference foes, Golden State have a record of 15-10.
The Nuggets are 11-point favourites to win at home over the Warriors. Thursday’s game will be the second meeting of the NBA season between Denver and Golden State. The Nuggets won the previous game 128-123. Denver are 10/11 to cover the spread for Thursday night.
Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Team News
Steve Kerr has one player on the team’s injury report as of Thursday morning. Andre Iguodala missed the game against Minnesota on Wednesday due to a sore right hip. The Warriors missed Iguodala down low on the offensive side. The team only tallied nine offensive rebounds on the night. Golden State tallied 48 points in the paint versus the Timberwolves.
Stephen Curry is having a fantastic season shooting the ball. Curry averages 29.7 points per game which leads the Warriors. Against Minnesota on Wednesday night, Curry scored 29 points in 43 minutes on the court. Klay Thompson is second in scoring for Golden State with 21.1 points per game. Thompson only scored 14 points versus Minnesota. He needs to shoot the ball better versus Denver to give Golden State a chance of winning.
According to the latest injury report out of Denver, forward Jack White is ruled out of Thursday’s game against Golden State with an adductor injury. Meanwhile, power forward Aaron Gordon is a doubt following a left ankle sprain. Guard Collin Gillespie is out of action with a lower leg injury.
Denver are led in scoring this season by centre Nikola Jokic with 25.1 points per game. Jokic is the bookmakers’ favourite to win the NBA Most Valuable Player award at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. Jokic’s best odds to win the MVP award are at 10/11. The big man also averages 11.1 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game. Jokic is averaging a triple-double per game, which is one reason the Nuggets are one of the favourites to win the NBA title at odds of 7/1. Jokic scored a triple-double when these teams played in Golden State earlier this season.
Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors H2H
Golden State and Denver played on October 21, 2022, in their most recent match-up. It is the only time the Western Conference foes have played this season. Denver came out on top with a 128-123 win. Denver lead the head-to-head series against Golden State with 101 wins and 85 losses.
During the 2021-22 NBA season, Golden State and Denver played four times. Denver won three of those four meetings. Despite Denver’s strong play against Golden State a season ago, the Warriors won the NBA title. The last time these teams met in Denver, Golden State picked up a 113-102 win in March 2022.
Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Predictions
The Warriors are suffering a hangover from last season’s NBA title win over the Boston Celtics. Kerr has the Warriors set to make the playoffs if the season ended right now, but for the most part, Golden State are playing .500 basketball.
Golden State are coming off a five-point defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night and must now turn around 24 hours later and play the Western Conference’s best team, the Denver Nuggets. Golden State are 7-19 on the road this season. If their performances don’t improve and more wins don’t follow, then Golden State could miss the NBA playoffs.
Denver is playing brilliantly at home this season, with 23 wins and four defeats. Nikola Jokic is having an MVP season and could lift the trophy if he keeps up his play. Jokic scored a triple-double the last time these teams met in October.
With Iguodala set to miss the game, Jokic could have free rein in the paint. Denver should win the game with it being close. Just five points separated these teams last time around, which means Golden should keep the score within 11 points, as they lose for a second straight night. Our betting tips prediction is for Denver to win.
