The Denver Nuggets open their season against the Golden State Warriors (1-0) Thursday night. Tip-off from Chase Center in San Francisco, California, is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Warriors odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Nuggets won 2-1
Denver finished 50-32 last season, good for second place in the Northwest Division and a playoff berth — its seventh in as many seasons. Its season ended against the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a 4-3 Conference Semifinals series loss. The Nuggets shipped out F Michael Porter Jr. and did not re-sign C DeAndre Jordan in the offseason, but they brought in F Cam Johnson and C Jonas Valanciunas to help C Nikola Jokic, who averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game last season.
Golden State opened its season Tuesday with a 119-109 win at the LA Lakers, covering as a 2.5-point road favorite with the Over (227.5) hitting. F Jimmy Butler led the team in scoring with 31 points, while G Stephen Curry posted 23 and G Buddy Hield added 17 off the bench, shooting 5-of-10 from the 3-point line. The Warriors overcame a 43-point performance from G Luka Doncic in the winning effort.
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Nuggets at Warriors odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Warriors -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +2.5 (-115) | Warriors -2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Nuggets at Warriors key injuries
Nuggets
Warriors
- G De’Anthony Melton (knee) out
- G Moses Moody (calf) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Warriors picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 121, Nuggets 115
PASS.
There is better value on the Warriors, who will play in front of their home crowd for the first time this season.
BET WARRIORS -2.5 (-105).
Between Curry and Butler, with multiple pieces around them, the Warriors can do some damage not only in the Western Conference this season but in the league as a whole. They showcased their versatility Opening Night, with 6 players scoring at least 7 points, including 4 who scored at least 17. Playing their first home game should provide a big advantage in the Bay.
The Nuggets made a few major offseason moves, including the trade that sent Porter to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Johnson, who averaged 18.8 points per game last season. The team will need time to develop in-game chemistry, which could put them on their heels Thursday, although Jokic is almost certain to deliver a great opening performance.
BET OVER 233.5 (-115).
The Warriors showcased their ability to move the ball and increase the pace of play in their first game, easily hitting the Over by scoring 119 points. They have multiple options to knock down deep shots while distributing the ball in true Steve Kerr fashion.
Even with the growing pains one might expect with the Nuggets, between Jokic and Johnson there will be an array of points scored for the road team. The team ranked third in the NBA last season, averaging 120.8 points per game, and 25th on the defensive end, allowing 116.9.
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