A first-round Western Conference battle features the sixth-seed Denver Nuggets hosting the third-seed Golden State Warriors in Game 3 on Thursday night in the 2022 NBA playoffs. The Warriors jumped out a 2-0 series lead at home and now they'll look to take full command of the series as it shifts to Denver. No NBA team has ever recovered from an 0-3 deficit in a playoff series, so Denver needs to come out aggressive in what is a virtual must-win game.
Tipoff is at 10 p.m. ET at Ball Arena. Caesars Sportsbook lists Golden State as the 2.5-point road favorite in the latest Warriors vs. Nuggets odds, with the over-under for total points set at 223. Before making any Nuggets vs. Warriors picks, be sure to see the NBA playoff 2022 predictions from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the first full week of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 86-56 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,400. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Warriors vs. Nuggets, and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Warriors:
- Warriors vs. Nuggets spread: Golden State -2.5
- Warriors vs. Nuggets over-under: 223 points
- Warriors vs. Nuggets money line: Denver +120, Golden State -140
- GSW: Warriors are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall
- DEN: Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as underdogs
Why the Warriors can cover
Guard Stephen Curry is back after missing the last dozen games of the regular season (foot) and he's making a big impact. The three-time NBA champion is putting up 25 points, three rebounds and four assists through two games. In Game 2, Curry finished with 34 points, four assists and went 5-for-10 from deep.
Curry doesn't have to do it alone, however. Guard Klay Thompson is an elite sharpshooter who can light the scoreboard in a blink of an eye. Thompson is a gifted scorer with a lightning-quick release. The five-time All-Star knows how to create space and has the size to shoot over defenders. Thompson is shooting 43 percent from three through two games. In his last contest, the Washington State product notched 21 points and went 3-for-8 from deep.
Forward Andrew Wiggins is a long, athletic, and all-around wing on the perimeter for Golden State. Wiggins creates his own shots on drives, from the perimeter or the mid-range. The Kansas product is also a fluid and coordinated defender. In Game 1, the 2022 All-Star dropped 16 points, nine rebounds, and one steal.
Why the Nuggets can cover
Desperation should be a factor for Denver and the Nuggets have one of the league's top players. Center Nikola Jokic does it all for Denver. Jokic is an elite rebounder and passes like a guard while consistently creating his own shot. The four-time All-Star is leading the team in nearly every category. He is first in scoring (25.5), rebounds (10.5), assists (5) and steals (2). In Game 2, Jokic recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Forward Will Barton is a creative scorer with a solid jumper. Barton is also a good rebounder and defender. The Memphis product is aggressive when attacking the lane and can finish through contact. The 2012 second-rounder is logging 18 points, eight rebounds and 3.5 assists thus far. In Game 1, Barton tallied 24 points, six rebounds and five assists.
How to make Nuggets vs. Warriors picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over the total, predicting a combined 230 points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Warriors vs. Nuggets? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
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