Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, Betting Odds, Picks

• The Golden State Warriors look to get back on the winning trend on the second leg of a home-and-home with the Nuggets
• Denver hopes to carry over last game’s success while having the advantage of their home court against the Warriors.
• The Nuggets won their last meeting over the Warriors, 86-89.

Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets Odds

Injury Report

How Can the Warriors Beat the Nuggets?

The Golden State Warriors’ usually high-powered offence was held docile the last time they took on the Denver Nuggets. With so many players missing, deeper members of the bench need to step up to support them.

In their 86-89 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Warriors bench contributed just 15 points to the Nuggets bench’s 26. Expected to make valuable contributions due to their veteran experience, Otto Porter and Andre Iguodala combined for just 1 point on 0 of 6 shooting from the field.

The Warriors have an energetic piece in Jonathan Kuminga off the bench, but they’ll need more from their reserves if they hope to take down a focused Warriors team.

Check out the best betting strategies, here!

Warriors Key Player: (G) Stephen Curry

STEPHEN. CURRY. STOP IT. ? pic.twitter.com/dXwId4zL1E

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 29, 2021

It almost seems cruel to ask Stephen Curry to carry the Warriors more than he does, but his inefficiency last game was a key factor in the team’s loss.

Curry was just 6 of 16 on the night, with 14 of his field-goal attempts coming from three-point range. Curry’s lack of diversity on the offensive end played right into Denver’s defensive game plan.

For the Warriors to take this victory, Curry needs to be at his best. Despite his prowess, settling for sole threes won’t win them the game. The more aggressive Curry is scoring the ball, the more the game opens up for the Warriors.

How Can the Nuggets Beat the Warriors?

The Denver Nuggets were able to take away one of the Warriors’ key weapons in their last game, the three-point shot. If Denver’s defence can remain disciplined like their last meeting, they could take the victory.

Known for their ball movement and ability to find three-point opportunities, the Nuggets were able to hold the Warriors to just 31.3% shooting from the field. While Golden State shot just 10 of 32 from deep, Denver were fortunate to with how reserved the Warriors bench was shooting the ball.

Golden State isn’t the type of team to make the same mistakes two games in a row. For Denver to succeed, they’ll need to adjust to keep the Warriors offence in control.

Nuggets Key Player: (C) Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic has 3 game-winning blocks in 2021. pic.twitter.com/mCWtPKQ5y2

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 29, 2021

The reigning MVP showed this year’s MVP frontrunner that he isn’t going to relinquish his title so easily. Nikola Jokic was dominant in Denver’s last meeting with the Warriors, and he’ll need to have a similar effect this time out.

In Jokic’s last meeting with the Warriors, he posted 22 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals on 8 of 19 shooting from the field. Jokic was also excellent defensively, as he collected the game-saving block one a last second attempt by Kuminga.

If there is anywhere that Jokic can improve in this second meeting it will be from range and in the turnover department. He had 8 turnovers and failed to convert on 5 three-point field goal attempts – both areas he could refine in this game.

How to Watch Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets