The Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors have both dealt with their share of injury problems coming into the NBA Playoffs. But they will look to bring their best basketball against one another in the first round, in a series where health could be one of the determining factors. In our NBA betting picks for Saturday’s NBA playoff action, we look at Nuggets vs Warriors in what could be one of the more entertaining series openers of the weekend.
Nuggets vs Warriors BetMGM Sportsbook Promo Code
New bettors at BetMGM can bet $10 and win $200 if a three is made in this Nuggets vs Warriors game!
Bettors who want some added value from their sportsbooks can take a look at BetMGM when betting on Nuggets vs Warriors Game 1. BetMGM is offering bettors the opportunity to put $10 on either team to win this matchup with their first bet on the site. If either team makes a three-point shot in the game, they will pay out $200 in free bets, even if that $10 bet is not on the winning team.
Nuggets vs Warriors Game 1 Betting Pick
This game will be played at 8:30 PM ET at Chase Center on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Why Bet The Nuggets:
✅ The Nuggets have been competitive with the Warriors all season long, with the Nuggets winning three of four games in their season series this year. Denver does not have the recent history of playoff success that the Warriors have, but they have some matchups that they can exploit in this game that should help them cover the spread in the series opener.
✅ Denver’s biggest advantage in this game is the presence of Nikola Jokic, as the Warriors are unlikely to have anyone who can guard him effectively. Kevon Looney and Nemanja Bjelica lack the combination of size, physicality, and discipline needed to shut down the array of passing, shooting, and post moves that Jokic has at his disposal. The likely MVP should help keep the Nuggets within striking distance in this game.
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
✅ Injuries are an issue for the Golden State Warriors at the moment, as Steph Curry is not at 100% coming into the playoffs. While Curry is expected to play in this game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr has said that he will be on a minutes restriction if he does play. That will help the Nuggets, as the Warriors are much less dangerous offensively when Curry is off the floor.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets managed to avoid the Play-In Tournament this year, finishing sixth in the Western Conference despite injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. They were largely carried by Nikola Jokic, who is likely to come away with the league’s MVP award. The question is whether Jokic can continue to carry this team to success against the elevated level of competition that the playoffs can provide.
If the Nuggets are going to win Game 1 and steal home court advantage from the Warriors, they are going to need to take advantage of a diminished presence from Steph Curry. If Curry is on a minutes limit, the Nuggets will have an easier time defending the rest of the Warriors’ weapons by virtue of not having to chase Curry around with multiple defenders. If that is the case, Denver will rue not taking advantage of that opportunity at the start of a seven game series.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State finished third in the Western Conference this year, which could be seen as a disappointment given that they had the best record in the league for a good portion of the season. Golden State suffered from injuries to Draymond Green and Steph Curry in the middle and late portions of the season, which held them back from staying at the top of the standings. But they come into this series favored against the Nuggets thanks to their depth relative to Denver.
Even with Curry on a minutes limit, the sharp shooting duo of Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson will provide the Warriors with plenty of offensive threat while the best shooter of all-time is off the floor. But the concern for the Warriors is not on the offensive side of the floor in this series, as their main objective needs to be slowing down Jokic.