Warriors vs. Nuggets prediction and odds for Wednesday, Nov. 8 (Bet on Denver to cover)
By Jovan Alford
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors will head to the Mile High City to play Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets tonight at Ball Arena.
The Warriors are wrapping up their four-game road trip, which started last week against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Golden State is 2-1 on this early-season road trip after defeating the Detroit Pistons by 11 points on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have won three straight games, including an 18-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
Can Curry and Co. give the Nuggets their first loss at home? Or will Jokic and the Nuggets keep their home record pristine?
Here are the odds and our best bet for Golden State-Denver:
Warriors vs. Nuggets odds, spread and total
Warriors vs. Nuggets how to watch
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 8
Game Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Ball Arena
How to Watch (TV): ESPN
Warriors Record: 6-2
Nuggets Record: 7-1
Warriors vs. Nuggets injury reports
Golden State Warriors injury report
- Draymond Green (out, personal reasons)
- Gary Payton II (questionable, illness)
Denver Nuggets injury report (H3)
- Vlatko Cancar (out, knee)
- Nikola Jokic (probable, wrist)
- Jamal Murray (out, hamstring)
Warriors vs. Nuggets key players to watch
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry: The 35-year-old Curry is showing no signs of slowing down as he’s gotten off to a hot start this season. The future Hall of Fame point guard is fourth in the NBA in scoring (30.9 points per game) while averaging 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
He’s also shooting a ridiculous 53% from the field, 47.5% from three-point range, and 91.3% from the free-throw line. Curry is playing like an MVP candidate this season, and it will be the Nuggets’ job to try to slow him down.
Kevon Looney: The 27-year-old center doesn’t get a lot of credit for what he brings to both sides of the floor, but he’s an integral part of the Warriors’ success over the years. Looney is posting 6.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game this season.
He has the tough challenge of trying to contain Jokic tonight, which no one can do. However, Looney can battle with the former two-time MVP on the boards. The veteran center has recorded 10-plus rebounds in four out of eight games this season.
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic: The former league MVP continued his stellar play in the Nuggets’ last game against the Pelicans. Jokic recorded his third triple-double on Monday, posting 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists.
With Jamal Murray still hampered by a hamstring injury, the Nuggets are looking for Jokic to continue to get others involved while still getting his points/shots. This season, the 28-year-old is almost averaging a triple-double, with 28.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game.
Aaron Gordon: The veteran power forward has quietly flown under the radar to start the year, but he’s played well through the first two weeks. Gordon is recording 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. The 28-year-old has also scored 15-plus points in three consecutive games, which includes Monday’s night win over the Pelicans (15 points).
The Nuggets will be looking for another 15-point effort tonight against the Warriors, who will be missing one of their better defenders in Green.
Warriors vs. Nuggets prediction and pick
To no one’s surprise, the Nuggets have been perfect at home, which played well for them in the postseason. However, I think fans are surprised by Golden State’s success on the road.
Last season, the Warriors were one of the worst teams on the road, but so far this season they are 5-1 away from Chase Center. Golden State is 2-1 against the spread as a road underdog and 4-2 ATS on the road. At the same time, Denver is 4-1 ATS as a home favorite.
The Warriors are on the last leg of their four-game road trip, meaning we could see some tired legs in the altitude. Therefore, I’ll take the Nuggets to cover the spread despite Jokic being on the injury report.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.