Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Prediction: Tough game for recovering Warriors

The NBA Postseason isn’t far away and the Regular Season is in its final stages which means that each game now is a knockout blow for many teams, whether in the top-six position or a Play-in tournament. To continue the trail of the long Regular Season, the Denver Nuggets will take on the Golden State Warriors.

The Nuggets come into this contest after losing 93:110 to the Suns despite a 26 points outing by Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets have lost two in a row following a four-game winning streak. They remain at the top of the West but have lost their way a bit, having 18 wins and 13 losses after a strong 33 wins and 13 losses effort. However, their case for a deep playoff run remains firm considering their team make-up.

They play a deliberate style of basketball, focusing on ball-sharing a lot, led by their stellar All-Around Center Nikola Jokic. He didn’t have the services of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. last season and their return this season has made the Nuggets the team they are. Of course, Aaron Gordon has played a huge role whereas the inclusion of Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has given both depth and injury covers. However, the Nuggets will need to recover their mid-season ways.

The Warriors storm in this game after defeating the Spurs 130:115 on the heels of a 33 points outburst by Stephen Curry. The Warriors have won two in a row and five of the last six games, of course, taking advantage of the home court. Golden State has had a disappointing season, their defense is a shadow of what it was during the title season and because of that win-loss column has slipped.

But the mention of their play away from home is vital where the team has lost 29 and has won just nine games. Thanks to their home record, they have acquired 41 wins and 37 losses, putting them in the bracket of the top-six teams. Having the Guard trio of Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, and Steph Curry is a blessing but not having Wing Andrew Wiggins has hurt the team a lot.

• Nuggets: OUT: Collin Gillespie. QUESTIONABLE: Zeke Nnaji, Nikola Jokic. PROBABLE: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr;
• Warriors: OUT: Andrew Wiggins, Andre Iguodala, Ty Jerome, Ryan Rollins.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Stephen Curry(34+ Points), Nikola Jokic(26+ Points)- QUES;
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Kevon Looney(10+ Rebounds), Nikola Jokic(10+ Assists)-QUES;
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Draymond Green(9-12 Assists), Nikola Jokic(7-11 Assists)-QUES.

The Warriors are in great touch at home but when they go away from home, they look like a shell of themselves. The Nuggets haven’t exactly played their best basketball and the injury to Jokic makes them a struggling team on the offensive end. Anyway, I’d back the Warriors to spring a surprise despite their struggles. I predict a scoreline of 121:117.