Denver had lied in waiting since Tuesday when they handed the sinking New Orleans Pelicans yet another loss.

In a testament to how things are going this year for both clubs, the Nuggets are lofty -12 favourites on the NBA odds. The over-under is calculated at 233.

Warriors vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Odds

Denver and Golden State have crossed paths only one time so far during the current campaign. It happened on Oct. 21, when the Nuggets mined their way to a 128-123 victory in San Francisco.The bigger event from the recent past is of course their first-round postseason clash last season. Denver was the first of four sides that Golden State would swat away on route to another NBA title, dispatching the Nikola Jokic and crew 4-1.

Just when it looks as though Golden State has gotten itself out of trouble, the latter rears its head once more to drag them back down into the dumps. 26-25 after 51 games is a far cry from what most experts and fans expected of them as defending champs. The same goes for their efforts against the spread. 24-26-1 is as inconsistent as it gets. Odds makers are giving them the benefit of a doubt. They were favoured in eight of their last 10 games yet are only 4-4 in those contests.

Michael Malone’s Nuggets sit atop the West with an impressive 35-16 record. Their only true threat is the Memphis Grizzlies (although Kings fans will want to vouch for their side as well). Is this the year they finally make it to the promised land? Perhaps, although betters would appreciate it if the club made good on the promise of the spreads it’s been pitted against. 27-24 is nearly as uninspiring as what the Warriors have mustered. They’re 5-5 in the previous 10.

Golden State Warriors

Wednesday’s tilt in Minnesota against the Timberwolves was the flip side of how so many of their contests at home have played out. One supposes it was fitting given that the overall effort and results on the road have been the opposite of those in the confines of the Chase Center.

Steve Kerr’s men took an 11-point lead into the final frame. Stephen Curry had been cooking all game long, especially from three-point land (his whirling dervish display in the second quarter beguiled) and all five starters flirted with double digits in points. But then, just like most teams visiting them suffered this season, the Warriors went cold and experienced defensive lapses. D’Angelo Russell erupted for 14 points in the fourth, which helped push the contest to overtime. When Russell fouled out, his teammate Anthony Edwards took over, operating as a facilitator, although he did finish with 27 points. Wolves maim the Warriors, 119-114.

Denver Nuggets

The New Orleans Pelicans gave Denver as good a fight as they could muster sans Zion Williamson (still injured). As the contest entered the break, the visitors even held a 3-point edge over the heavily favoured Nuggets.

But giants don’t remain dormant forever. Jokic, who had been somewhat passive in the first two periods, went all out during the latter two, ending the night with a triple-double (26 points, 15 assists, 18 rebounds). One of the benefactors of Jokic’s passing profusion was Canadian Jamal Murray, who shined with 32 points. His three-point firing was on point, going 7-12. In fact, the whole team shot well from distance, as evidenced by their 44.4 per cent efficiency, whereas New Orleans only mustered 29.6. Jokic also added to his season highlight reel with a nifty right-hand to left-hand dribble between two defenders in second quarter, reminding everyone why he’s the two-time MVP.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Warriors vs. Nuggets?

• Regular Season

Warriors Team Leaders

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 29.59
Assists	Draymond Green 6.82
Rebounds	Kevon Looney 9.16
FG%	Kevon Looney 64.8
Steals	Donte DiVincenzo 1.31
Blocks	Draymond Green 0.8

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.83
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.86
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.91
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 77.3
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.46
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.72

• Regular Season

Nuggets Team Leaders

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 29.59
Assists	Draymond Green 6.82
Rebounds	Kevon Looney 9.16
FG%	Kevon Looney 64.8
Steals	Donte DiVincenzo 1.31
Blocks	Draymond Green 0.8

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.83
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.86
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.91
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 77.3
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.46
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.72

Injuries

Golden State

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 03 / 23

Kevon Looney (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 21 / 03 / 23

Kevon Looney (PF)

Prob Mon Back - 19 / 03 / 23

Jonathan Kuminga (PF)

Prob Sat Ankle - 18 / 03 / 23

Stephen Curry (PG)

Ques Fri Thumb - 16 / 03 / 23

Draymond Green (PF)

Elig Sat Suspension - 16 / 03 / 23

Kevon Looney (PF)

Prob Fri Back - 16 / 03 / 23

Andre Iguodala (SG)

Late April Wrist - 14 / 03 / 23

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Mon Ankle - 12 / 03 / 23

Andre Iguodala (SG)

Prob Mon Hip - 12 / 03 / 23

Denver

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 03 / 23

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Prob Tues Oblique - 13 / 03 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 12 / 03 / 23

Vlatko Cancar (SF)

Prob Sun Wrist - 11 / 03 / 23

Michael Porter Jr. (PF)

Prob Wed Illness - 07 / 03 / 23

Vlatko Cancar (SF)

Ques Fri Wrist - 02 / 03 / 23

Aaron Gordon (PF)

Prob Fri Ribs - 02 / 03 / 23

Michael Porter Jr. (PF)

Prob Fri Heel - 02 / 03 / 23

Aaron Gordon (PF)

Prob Tues Ribs - 27 / 02 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Ques Tues Back - 27 / 02 / 23

Injuries

Golden State

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Wed	Wrist - 21 / 03 / 23	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Green is bothered by right wrist soreness, but it is likely that he will be active for Wednesday's clash with the Mavericks.
Kevon Looney (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 21 / 03 / 23	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Looney is managing a back issue, but he is projected to take on the Mavericks on Wednesday.
Kevon Looney (PF)	Prob Mon	Back - 19 / 03 / 23	1-2	1-1-1	+ -
Looney is hobbled by lower-back soreness, but it is likely that he will dress for Monday's tilt with the Rockets.
Jonathan Kuminga (PF)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 18 / 03 / 23	1-1	1-0-1	+ -
Kuminga is dealing with right ankle soreness, but it is not expected to impact his status versus the Grizzlies on Saturday.
Stephen Curry (PG)	Ques Fri	Thumb - 16 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Curry is battling left thumb soreness, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Hawks on Friday.
Draymond Green (PF)	Elig Sat	Suspension - 16 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Green is serving a single game suspension for exceeding the league's technical foul limit. He will be eligible to return Saturday against the Grizzlies.
Kevon Looney (PF)	Prob Fri	Back - 16 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Looney is dealing with a sore lower back, but he is still expected to take the court for Friday's clash versus the Hawks.
Andre Iguodala (SG)	Late April	Wrist - 14 / 03 / 23	1-0	1-0	+ -
Iguodala is out of the lineup after having surgery to repair a left wrist fracture, and he is not expected to return for at least four weeks.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Mon	Ankle - 12 / 03 / 23	1-1	2-0	+ -
Green is managing a right ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take part in Monday's battle with the Suns.
Andre Iguodala (SG)	Prob Mon	Hip - 12 / 03 / 23	1-1	2-0	+ -
Iguodala is expected to dress for Monday's game versus the Suns despite right hip soreness.

Denver

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 15 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Murray is managing a left knee injury, but it is not expected to impact his status for Thursday's showdown with the Pistons.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Prob Tues	Oblique - 13 / 03 / 23	0-1	1-0	+ -
Jackson is bothered by a left oblique contusion, but it is anticipated that he will lace up for Tuesday's clash with the Raptors.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 12 / 03 / 23	0-2	2-0	+ -
Murray exited the last contest with left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Raptors on Tuesday.
Vlatko Cancar (SF)	Prob Sun	Wrist - 11 / 03 / 23	0-3	2-1	+ -
Cancar is expected to take part in Sunday's clash with the Knicks despite a right wrist sprain.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)	Prob Wed	Illness - 07 / 03 / 23	1-4	3-2	+ -
Porter is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to impact his availability against the Bulls on Wednesday.
Vlatko Cancar (SF)	Ques Fri	Wrist - 02 / 03 / 23	2-4	4-2	+ -
Cancar missed the last three games with a right wrist sprain, and it is unknown if he will play against the Spurs on Friday.
Aaron Gordon (PF)	Prob Fri	Ribs - 02 / 03 / 23	2-4	4-2	+ -
Gordon is dealing with a left rib contusion, but he is still expected to take the court against the Grizzlies on Friday.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)	Prob Fri	Heel - 02 / 03 / 23	2-4	4-2	+ -
Porter Jr. is managing an injury to his left heel, but he is projected to be in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Grizzlies.
Aaron Gordon (PF)	Prob Tues	Ribs - 27 / 02 / 23	3-5	5-3	+ -
Gordon is nursing a left rib contusion, but it is not expected to impact his status for Tuesday's contest with the Rockets.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Ques Tues	Back - 27 / 02 / 23	3-5	5-3	+ -
Murray is dealing with lower back pain, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Rockets on Tuesday.