The Golden State Warriors (26-6) put their 11-game winning streak on the line when they challenge the Denver Nuggets (17-15) at ORACLE Arena. The game can be seen on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23, 2017.
Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors Betting Prediction
In the Nuggets’ last contest, they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 102-85. The Nuggets had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0 (above their season average of 27.1), while the Trail Blazers had a free throw rate of 0.108 (below their season average of 0.203). With 27 points on 12-for-21 shooting, Nikola Jokic was the top scorer from either team.
The Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in their last matchup, 113-106. Golden State was effective at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Warriors made 22 of their 27 free throws (81.5 percent), while the Lakers were just 15-22 (68.2 percent). Kevin Durant was the top scorer from either team with 33 points on 9-for-20 shooting.
The high-octane offense of Golden State (second in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 113.7) will go head-to-head against the bottom-tier defense of Denver (22nd in the league with a defensive efficiency of 107.7). The Warriors figure to have the edge on that end of the court. Additionally, the Nuggets, who rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.5 percent), will try to exploit the Warriors, who rank 22nd in defensive rebounding percentage (76.6 percent).
Denver heads into the contest with records of 17-15 straight up (SU) and 13-17-1 against the spread (ATS). Nuggets games have a slight tendency to finish under the projected point total (51.6 percent).
Meanwhile, Golden State owns records of 26-6 SU and 15-16 ATS. Unlike Denver, games featuring the Warriors have gone over the projected point total 51.6 percent of the time.
Durant and Omri Casspi have been playing well over the last five games for Golden State. Durant has averaged 31.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.0 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Casspi has recorded 11.2 points and 7.6 rebounds a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Durant scored a game-high 25 points and the Warriors defeated the Nuggets 127-108, covering as 9-point favorites. He also had seven rebounds and seven assists. The game finished with a total of 235 points, which was just 2.5 points above the projected point total of 232.5 points. Golden State made 18 of its 40 three pointers (45.0 percent). Denver, meanwhile, did a terrific job of converting from the free throw line (22-27; 81.5 percent).
Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Denver is 5-11-1 ATS on the road with 9 unders and 8 overs.
Golden State is 7-7 ATS at home with 8 unders and 6 overs.
In games where they allow under 100 points, Denver is 8-2 and Golden State is 9-1.
The Nuggets are 15-9 when they reach the century mark, while the Warriors are 24-4.
Denver ranks first in second chance points per game (15.5) while Golden State ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
The Nuggets average 14.5 fast break points per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The Warriors rank 29th in fast break points allowed per game (14.3).
Golden State ranks first in assists per game (30.3) while Denver ranks 23rd in assists allowed per game (23.8).
The Nuggets rank third in points in the paint per game (48.9) while the Warriors rank 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (45.5).
Golden State averages 17.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Denver ranks last in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.8).
The Nuggets rank 14th in steals per game (7.8) while the Warriors rank 28th in steals allowed per game (8.9).
Golden State ranks first in blocks per game (8.7) while Denver ranks 15th (4.7).
The Nuggets average 30.3 three pointers per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Warriors rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (29.5).
Denver ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (40.9) while Golden State ranks eighth (41.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Denver is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Golden State is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Nuggets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.6, up from 0.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 109.8 points per game (6.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.0 points per game (4.3 below their season average).
