The Golden State Warriors (5-4) face the Denver Nuggets (5-2) Friday in NBA Cup group stage action. Tip-off from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, is set for 10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Warriors vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Warriors lead 1-0 after 137-131 OT win at home Oct. 23.
The Dubs fell 121-116 as 3-point dogs at the Sacramento Kings Wednesday. They ran a skeleton squad as G Stephen Curry (illness), F Jimmy Butler (back) and F Draymond Green (ribs) were out. Second-rounder G Will Richard kept the team in it as he caught fire with 30 points. He was 5-for-8 from downtown, and G Moses Moody, who had 28, went 6-for-11 from distance. They could get Green and Butler back for this one.
The Nuggets have won 5 of 6 after a 122-112 cover as 9-point faves over the Miami Heat Wednesday. C Nikola Jokic was a monster with 33 points, 15 boards and 16 assists. They shot just 28% from downtown and are shooting at a 33.5% clip (22nd) on the season. That’s something they’ll need to shore up as the season progresses.
Warriors at Nuggets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:07 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Warriors +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Nuggets -475 (bet $475 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Warriors +10.5 (-115) | Nuggets -10.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Warriors at Nuggets key injuries
Warriors
F Jimmy Butler (back) questionableG Stephen Curry (illness) outG De’Anthony Melton (knee) out
Nuggets
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Warriors at Nuggets picks and predictionsPrediction
Nuggets 121, Warriors 118
The Warriors have no answer for Jokic, and there’s no play here as the Nuggets are massive favorites.
Instead make an SGP of NIKOLA JOKIC 20 POINTS AND 10 ASSISTS (+115). His line for a triple-double is -110, and while the 20 points is a little bit of a risk, again, the Warriors have no one to contain him.
Butler is questionable, but I have a feeling he’ll suit up. This line could easily drop to 8.5 by gametime. If you’re giving me WARRIORS +10.5 (-115), I’ll happily take it. Their shooters have stepped up, and Denver can’t convert from the outside right now.
The Dubs are 6-3 O/U thus far, and the Nuggets are 4-3. The first meeting went way Over 232.5, but it was an OT game. The young Warriors shooters are what gives me confidence the pace will be high, and OVER 228.5 (-110) clears.
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