Denver narrowly escaped the play-in tournament, going 48-34 behind another MVP season from reigning winner Nikola Jokić.
The status of superstar point guard Steph Curry is the main storyline heading into in the Western Conference’s 6 vs. 3 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors. Curry has been sidelined since March 16 with an ankle injury and his absence played a large role in the Warriors dropping to third place at 53-29. Curry is practising with the team but as of Thursday his status for Game 1 is uncertain.
Tip-off at Chase Center Saturday goes at 8:30 p.m. EDT, with the Warriors a six-point favourite and the over-under at 223.5 on the NBA odds. Golden State sits at -250 to win the series.
Nuggets vs. Warriors NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
The Nuggets got the better of the Warriors during the regular season with wins in three of four meetings. Golden State’s lone victory came in their most recent battle, a 113-102 win on March 10. Each team covered twice in the four meetings, and the over-under record was split 2-2.
Without Curry in the lineup, recent Warriors’ games have tended to the under: five of their last seven have gone under the total, but the under was 24-15-2 in their 2021–22 home games. Head-to-head, the under’s hit in six of the last eight Nuggets–Warriors meetings.
Denver Nuggets
Jokić led Denver in every major statistic this season with 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. Jokić is all but certain to get a second straight MVP as easily the NBA’s most important player to his team. After Jokić, forward Aaron Gordon is Denver’s next best option with 15 points and 5.9 rebounds per outing.
Overall, the Nuggets are extremely efficient on offence with the league’s second-best field goal percentage at 48.3. They finished 10th in the NBA with 112.7 points per game too.
One last thing to keep an eye on: the return of star guard Jamal Murray, who’s doubtful this series after an ACL tear just over a year ago at Golden State.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors went through a 1-6 stretch to end March after Curry went down, but followed that up with five straight wins to end the season. Klay Thompson taking over was key in those five wins — Thompson had outings of 36, 33, and 41 points in April. Thompson’s run got his season average to above 20 points in his 32 appearances.
Only Curry averaged more points (25.5) per game than Thompson on Golden State, but the Warriors present more scoring options. Third-year guard Jordan Poole finished with 18.5 points per game, and then former first-overall pick Andrew Wiggins averaged over 17 a night.
NBA Playoffs Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Warriors?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 11 Apr 2:29pm | DEN | -4 -110 | O +224.5 -110 |
| Closing 16 Apr 10:48pm | DEN | -6.5 -110 | O +223 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
| Points |
27.08 |
| Assists |
7.89 |
| Rebounds |
13.77 |
| FG% |
58.3 |
| Steals |
1.47 |
| Blocks |
0.85 |
| Points |
25.47 |
| Assists |
6.96 |
| Rebounds |
7.3 |
| FG% |
61.6 |
| Steals |
1.35 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
31 |
| Assists |
5.8 |
| Rebounds |
13.2 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.6 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
27.36 |
| Assists |
6.27 |
| Rebounds |
7.64 |
| FG% |
65.9 |
| Steals |
1.32 |
| Blocks |
1.05 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Warriors Team Leaders
| Points |
27.08 |
| Assists |
7.89 |
| Rebounds |
13.77 |
| FG% |
58.3 |
| Steals |
1.47 |
| Blocks |
0.85 |
| Points |
25.47 |
| Assists |
6.96 |
| Rebounds |
7.3 |
| FG% |
61.6 |
| Steals |
1.35 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
31 |
| Assists |
5.8 |
| Rebounds |
13.2 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.6 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
27.36 |
| Assists |
6.27 |
| Rebounds |
7.64 |
| FG% |
65.9 |
| Steals |
1.32 |
| Blocks |
1.05 |
Injuries
Austin Rivers (PG)
Austin Rivers (PG)
Facundo Campazzo (PG)
Will Barton (SG)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Monte Morris (PG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Rodney McGruder (SG)
Will Barton (SG)
Jeff Green (SF)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Gary Payton II (PG)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Gary Payton II (PG)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Rivers (PG) | day-to-day | Hamstring - 27 / 04 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Rivers exited Wednesday's game with right hamstring tightness, and it is unknown if he will return. |
|||||
| Austin Rivers (PG) | Ques Thurs | Back - 19 / 04 / 22 | 1-3 | 4-0 | + - |
|
Rivers is battling lower-back pain, and it is uncertain if he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Facundo Campazzo (PG) | Elig Mon | Suspension - 13 / 04 / 22 | 1-4 | 5-0 | + - |
|
Campazzo has been given a one-game suspension for a forceful shoving, and he is not eligible to suit up until Game 2 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Will Barton (SG) | Ques Sat | Knee - 09 / 04 / 22 | 2-4 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Barton is dealing with right knee soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Warriors. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Prob Sat | Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 22 | 2-4 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Gordon is nursing a left hamstring issue, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Monte Morris (PG) | Ques Sat | Elbow - 09 / 04 / 22 | 2-4 | 5-1 | + - |
|
Morris is hampered by left elbow soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Warriors. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | out for season | Knee - 08 / 04 / 22 | 2-5 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Murray is likely to miss the rest of the 2021-22 season after having a left ACL surgery. |
|||||
| Rodney McGruder (SG) | Prob Fri | Hip - 06 / 04 / 22 | 3-5 | 6-2 | + - |
|
McGruder sat out the last contest due to a left hip strain, but it is projected that he will face the Bucks on Friday. |
|||||
| Will Barton (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 03 / 04 / 22 | 3-6 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Barton is bothered by right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will lace up for Sunday's tilt versus the Lakers. |
|||||
| Jeff Green (SF) | Ques Thurs | Personal - 02 / 04 / 22 | 3-7 | 8-2 | + - |
|
Green has missed the last two contests due to a personal issue, and it is unclear if he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otto Porter Jr. (SF) | Ques Thurs | Foot - 15 / 06 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. has a sore left foot, leaving his availability for Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics clouded. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with inflammation in his right knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court against the Celtics for Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Otto Porter Jr. (SF) | Prob Mon | Foot - 12 / 06 / 22 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. has a sore left foot, and it is not expected to affect his availability for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Mon | Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with inflammation in his right knee, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Celtics for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Otto Porter Jr. (SF) | Prob Fri | Foot - 09 / 06 / 22 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. has a sore left foot, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with inflammation in his right knee, but it has been determined that he will take the court against the Celtics for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Gary Payton II (PG) | Prob Wed | Elbow - 07 / 06 / 22 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Payton II is on the mend from a fractured left elbow, but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Otto Porter Jr. (SF) | Prob Wed | Foot - 07 / 06 / 22 | 3-1 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is dealing with left foot soreness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Gary Payton II (PG) | Prob Sun | Elbow - 04 / 06 / 22 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Payton II is on the mend from a fractured left elbow, but it is expected that he will he will be a participant in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Otto Porter Jr. (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 04 / 06 / 22 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is dealing with a sore left foot, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 2 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 11 Apr 2:29pm DEN -4 -110 O +224.5 -110 Closing 16 Apr 10:48pm DEN -6.5 -110 O +223 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nuggets Team Leaders
Points 27.08
Assists 7.89
Rebounds 13.77
FG% 58.3
Steals 1.47
Blocks 0.85
Points 25.47
Assists 6.96
Rebounds 7.3
FG% 61.6
Steals 1.35
Blocks 1.09
Points 31
Assists 5.8
Rebounds 13.2
FG% 100
Steals 1.6
Blocks 1.2
Points 27.36
Assists 6.27
Rebounds 7.64
FG% 65.9
Steals 1.32
Blocks 1.05
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Warriors Team Leaders
Points 27.08
Assists 7.89
Rebounds 13.77
FG% 58.3
Steals 1.47
Blocks 0.85
Points 25.47
Assists 6.96
Rebounds 7.3
FG% 61.6
Steals 1.35
Blocks 1.09
Points 31
Assists 5.8
Rebounds 13.2
FG% 100
Steals 1.6
Blocks 1.2
Points 27.36
Assists 6.27
Rebounds 7.64
FG% 65.9
Steals 1.32
Blocks 1.05
-
Injuries
Austin Rivers (PG)
day-to-day Hamstring - 27 / 04 / 22Austin Rivers (PG)
Ques Thurs Back - 19 / 04 / 22Facundo Campazzo (PG)
Elig Mon Suspension - 13 / 04 / 22Will Barton (SG)
Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 04 / 22Aaron Gordon (PF)
Prob Sat Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 22Monte Morris (PG)
Ques Sat Elbow - 09 / 04 / 22Jamal Murray (SG)
out for season Knee - 08 / 04 / 22Rodney McGruder (SG)
Prob Fri Hip - 06 / 04 / 22Will Barton (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 04 / 22Jeff Green (SF)
Ques Thurs Personal - 02 / 04 / 22Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Ques Thurs Foot - 15 / 06 / 22Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Prob Mon Foot - 12 / 06 / 22Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Prob Fri Foot - 09 / 06 / 22Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22Gary Payton II (PG)
Prob Wed Elbow - 07 / 06 / 22Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Prob Wed Foot - 07 / 06 / 22Gary Payton II (PG)
Prob Sun Elbow - 04 / 06 / 22Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 04 / 06 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Austin Rivers (PG) day-to-day Hamstring - 27 / 04 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Rivers exited Wednesday's game with right hamstring tightness, and it is unknown if he will return.
Austin Rivers (PG) Ques Thurs Back - 19 / 04 / 22 1-3 4-0 + - Rivers is battling lower-back pain, and it is uncertain if he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors.
Facundo Campazzo (PG) Elig Mon Suspension - 13 / 04 / 22 1-4 5-0 + - Campazzo has been given a one-game suspension for a forceful shoving, and he is not eligible to suit up until Game 2 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors.
Will Barton (SG) Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 04 / 22 2-4 5-1 + - Barton is dealing with right knee soreness, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Warriors.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Prob Sat Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 22 2-4 5-1 + - Gordon is nursing a left hamstring issue, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Warriors.
Monte Morris (PG) Ques Sat Elbow - 09 / 04 / 22 2-4 5-1 + - Morris is hampered by left elbow soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Warriors.
Jamal Murray (SG) out for season Knee - 08 / 04 / 22 2-5 5-2 + - Murray is likely to miss the rest of the 2021-22 season after having a left ACL surgery.
Rodney McGruder (SG) Prob Fri Hip - 06 / 04 / 22 3-5 6-2 + - McGruder sat out the last contest due to a left hip strain, but it is projected that he will face the Bucks on Friday.
Will Barton (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 04 / 22 3-6 7-2 + - Barton is bothered by right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will lace up for Sunday's tilt versus the Lakers.
Jeff Green (SF) Ques Thurs Personal - 02 / 04 / 22 3-7 8-2 + - Green has missed the last two contests due to a personal issue, and it is unclear if he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Otto Porter Jr. (SF) Ques Thurs Foot - 15 / 06 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Porter Jr. has a sore left foot, leaving his availability for Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics clouded.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Iguodala is dealing with inflammation in his right knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court against the Celtics for Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Otto Porter Jr. (SF) Prob Mon Foot - 12 / 06 / 22 2-0 0-2 + - Porter Jr. has a sore left foot, and it is not expected to affect his availability for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 2-0 0-2 + - Iguodala is dealing with inflammation in his right knee, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Celtics for Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Otto Porter Jr. (SF) Prob Fri Foot - 09 / 06 / 22 3-1 1-3 + - Porter Jr. has a sore left foot, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 3-1 1-3 + - Iguodala is dealing with inflammation in his right knee, but it has been determined that he will take the court against the Celtics for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Gary Payton II (PG) Prob Wed Elbow - 07 / 06 / 22 3-1 1-3 + - Payton II is on the mend from a fractured left elbow, but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics.
Otto Porter Jr. (SF) Prob Wed Foot - 07 / 06 / 22 3-1 1-3 + - Porter Jr. is dealing with left foot soreness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.
Gary Payton II (PG) Prob Sun Elbow - 04 / 06 / 22 3-2 2-3 + - Payton II is on the mend from a fractured left elbow, but it is expected that he will he will be a participant in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics.
Otto Porter Jr. (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 04 / 06 / 22 3-2 2-3 + - Porter Jr. is dealing with a sore left foot, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 2 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.