The Denver Nuggets'(0-1) visit the Chase Center Friday to take on the'Golden State Warriors (1-0). Tip is set for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Warriors odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Nuggets enter this matchup having been blown out 123-102 as 6.5-point road favorites at the Utah Jazz Wednesday. Despite 27 points from C'Nikola Jokic and 22 points from F'Aaron Gordon, Denver only saw 24 points come from their bench – from just 3 players – which largely contributed to their horrific 2nd quarter in which they were outscored 38-23 as Utah blew the game open. Although it is early in the season, the bench scoring is going to have to improve, especially if they want to have a shot at taking down the 2022 reigning champions.
The Warriors opened up their season with a 123-109 home victory against the Los Angeles Lakers as 7.5-point favorites. Each starter was +11 or better while on the court Wednesday, a clear recipe for success.
As expected, Golden State saw a lot of their production from G'Steph Curry'(33) and'G'Klay Thompson'(18), but F'Andrew Wiggins (20) also stepped up big in the win. Only leading by 7 at the half, the Warriors extended their lead to 20 after the 3rd and never looked back. They shot 16-45 (35%) from 3 with Curry, Thompson, and Wiggins combining for 10 of them.