A Western Conference showdown features the No. 3 seed Golden State Warriors hosting the No. 6 seed Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs on Saturday night. Golden State finished with a 53-29 record, meanwhile, Denver went 48-34. The Warriors had a 31-10 home record at Chase Center. Michael Porter Jr. (back) and Jamal Murray (knee) remain out indefinitely for Denver, while the Warriors list Steph Curry (foot) as probable to return after missing the last month of the regular season.
Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. ET at Chase Center. Caesars Sportsbook lists Golden State as the 6.5-point favorite in the latest Nuggets vs. Warriors odds. The over-under for total points is 223.5. Before making any Warriors vs. Nuggets picks, be sure to see the NBA playoff 2022 predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation 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 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 85-55 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. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Warriors:
- Warriors vs. Nuggets spread: Golden State -6.5
- Warriors vs. Nuggets over-under: 223.5 points
- Warriors vs. Nuggets money line: Denver +220, Golden State -270
- DEN: Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as a road underdog
- GS: Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall
Why the Warriors can cover
The likely return of Curry is a huge boost, but Golden State other scoring options as well. Guard Klay Thompson is a gifted scorer from the outside for Golden State. Thompson has a lighting quick release and scores in bunches. The five-time All-Star averaged 20.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and shot 38 percent from downtown. Thompson finished with 30-plus points in three straight games, including 41 points in the season finale.
Forward Andrew Wiggins is an all-around player in the frontcourt. Wiggins is a long, explosive and athletic wing. The Kansas product can create his own shot from all three levels on the floor. The 2022 All-Star put up 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and shot 39 percent from 3-point land. On April 3, Wiggins finished with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic is one of the most skilled big men in the league. Jokic is an elite passer, and scorer while consistently pulling down boards. The four-time All-Star averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game. Jokic led the league in triple-doubles this season with 19. The 2021 NBA MVP produced five straight 30-plus point double-doubles.
Forward Aaron Gordon is an explosive and energetic force in the frontcourt. Gordon can sky over defenders for dunks and can knock down a jumper on the perimeter. The Arizona product logged 15 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He put up 20-plus points in three of his last four games. In the season finale, Gordon finished with 22 points, five rebounds and went 3-for-5 from three.
How to make Nuggets vs. Warriors picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting 220 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model's pick 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.
