Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Point Spread Picks

Minus injured Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, Golden State is averaging only 105.1 points in its last six games. Curry remains out with a knee injury while Butler is done for the season with a torn ACL. Nikola Jokic has been back for Denver and playing at his MVP level, but the Nuggets remain without two key cogs, injured Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson. Denver ranks eighth in 3-point defense and has held its last three foes to an average of 111.3 points. The Warriors have a new look and it is a defensive one as 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis is set to play in his second game for Golden State. Porzingis ranks sixth in defensive field goal percentage holding his opponent 8.3% points below his expected efficiency. Golden State has a very defensive-minded frontcourt now with Porzingis joining star defender Draymond Green and veteran Al Horford. Take the UNDER.

Not only has Denver beaten Golden State nine of the last 10 times, including each of the past four seasons at Golden State and four times as underdogs, but the Nuggets look improved from the team that took world champion Oklahoma City to seven games in the playoffs last season. Denver significantly upgraded its roster around Nikola Jokic and its stellar backcourt by adding Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway. The Nuggets now have a strong bench and are completely healthy entering their season opener. The Warriors are stepping way up in class after an easy opening win against the LeBron James-less Lakers this past Tuesday. Golden State's challenge is much more difficult here than it was against the Lakers. Jokic is a matchup nightmare for the smallish Warriors with his command of the low post, and now Denver added 7-footer Valanciunas, who has averaged double figures in 11 of his 13 seasons. The Nuggets are anxious to show off their new form. They are an elite team, and Golden State is not in that class. Take the Nuggets.

The Warriors and the Nuggets are six teams separated by just 2.5 games in the standings from the three seed to the eight seed. These teams are already in playoff mode as every game reshapes the standings in the highly competitive Western Conference. Golden St. Denver is limping down the stretch as injuries have held this team back. They have six questionable players for tonight's game against Golden St. The Warriors are getting big numbers from Stephen Curry, and over their last 23 games, they are 18-5. The Warriors, however, are off one of their biggest wins of the season, as they beat the Lakers last night in LA. That could leave this team mentally and emotionally drained. Golden St. has yet to solve this Denver team, as the Nuggets have won nine straight against Golden St. Make the play on Denver.