Denver vs Golden State: Warriors backups have no chance

The Nuggets have beaten Golden State away twice this season. Now the Warriors have a less-than-optimal lineup in Denver. Will the home team take advantage of it?

The Nuggets have won 8 of their last nine regular-season games but remain in 6th place in the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, Denver have narrowed the gap from the top 4, and the team may improve its standings soon. The game before last, they won without Nikola Jokic. Thanks to DeMarcus Cousins' 31 points, the Nuggets were defeated by Houston, 116-101. Jokic led Denver against New Orleans the day before with 46 points and 11 assists. The final score was 138-130 in favor of the Nuggets. Will Barton played against the Pelicans, but now his participation is questionable. Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, and Vlatko Cancar will not play for certain.

The Warriors remain in 2nd place in the Western Conference even with four losses in a row, but Memphis are very close, and the rest of their rivals can theoretically catch up with the Warriors. The coaching staff has decided to rest almost the entire starting five right now: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins will not play. Draymond Green is still out due to injury; Andre Iguodala, Gary Payton and James Wiseman will not appear on the floor.

Steve Kerr's men made 15 of 34 three-pointers (44.1 per cent) in their recent game against the Lakers but still lost, 116-124. Thompson and Wiggins were ineffective on offense, while Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Steph Curry proved ineffective.

Denver haven't defeated Golden State in a very long time, and now they have almost their best opportunity to do so. The Nuggets could easily take out clubs like Atlanta this season, let alone the Warriors without Curry, Green, Wiggins and Thompson. Poole and Kuminga will likely be key players for the Warriors on offense, but even their good play hasn't helped the team handle the Lakers. If one of them fails to make shots, their chances of success will come to naught. I suggest betting on the following outcomes:

• Handicap 1 (-9.5) for 2.15;
• Total Over 221.5 points for 1.90;
• Denver Nuggets To Win By 26 Or More Points for 11.00.