Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets Game 3 Betting Preview
The 1st Round Playoff series between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets shifts back to Ball Arena on Thursday night. GSW defended their home court in a huge way, taking a 123-107 and a 126-106 victory in the Bay for a 2-0 series lead.
It’s always said that a series doesn’t truly start until a home team loses, so in that regard, Denver is not counted out just yet. The Nuggets were 23-18 at home this season and split their two-game set with the Warriors at Ball Arena. Golden State has some momentum but are still just -2 point favorites for this Game 3 matchup.
Warriors Offense Clicking
It’s probably the best luxury in basketball to bring Steph Curry off the bench, and that’s what Steve Kerr has done as Curry works his way back from a foot injury. Curry looked a bit rusty in Game 1 after missing a month and scoring 16 points. He knocked the cobwebs off in Game 2, though, going for 34 points on 12/17 shooting and posting a +/- of +32.
If Curry is fully back, that only makes Golden State that much more potent. Jordan Poole has continued his breakout season, averaging 29.5 ppg through the first two of this series. Klay Thompson has hit 8-18 three-pointers so far, and Draymond Green is facilitating with 7.5 assists in the two games at the Chase Center.
Denver In a Must Win
The Nuggets are back at home, but there are few teams built to win road games in the playoffs like the incredibly experienced Warriors. The Nuggets don’t come back to the Rocky Mountains with a ton of momentum either, being outscored by a total of 35 points through the first two contests of this series.
Of course, the Nuggets always have a chance with MVP candidate Nikola Jokic in the lineup. He’s averaged 25.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, and 5.0 apg so far this series, but it hasn’t been enough for Denver to even be in striking distance. Aaron Gordon has been a disappointment averaging just 7.5 ppg, and Will Barton followed up his 24-point performance in Game 1 with just 12 on Monday night.
Warriors/Nuggets Pick and Prediction
Golden State’s defense is really good, #1 in the NBA, as a matter of fact. Part of their success in holding Denver to 106.5 ppg so far this series has had to do with playing at home, but this is a team riding a lot of momentum right now.
The Warriors have a ton of depth, which is important just in case Curry or Thompson do have trouble finding their shot – which could happen in a road game and in the Colorado atmosphere. Poole has stepped up huge, Green lives for moments like these, and even Andrew Wiggins has been consistently averaging 14.5 ppg this series. The Nuggets have none of that outside of Jokic – a few players capable of big games but none you can rely on.
Betting Pick: Warriors -2
