Denver (1-3) at Golden State (3-1)
When: Wednesday, April 27th, 2022
Where: Chase Center,
San Francisco, CA
Time: 10:00 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Golden State -8.5/226
The Golden State Warriors failed to close out the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series, but will get another crack at home in Game 5 on Wednesday. The Warriors won the first two games at home in convincing fashion, then went to Denver for a 118-113 victory in Game 3. The Nuggets avoided the sweep with a 126-121 win on Sunday night and will be 9-point underdogs for Wednesday’s Game 5. Of course, no team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history, but Denver came back from down 3-1 twice during the 2020 playoffs. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic was a non-factor in the first two games in San Francisco, but has responded with back-to-back 37-point efforts.
Game 5 could see the return of star guard Stephen Curry to the starting lineup after he came off the bench in the first four games after his return from a foot injury. Denver’s win also snapped an 0-5 ATS run against Golden State, while the Over has cashed in six of the last seven matchups including all four this series. The Warriors have won eight of 10 overall and are 8-2 ATS in that span dating back to the regular season. They are also a sizzling 32-13 ATS in their last 45 first round playoff contests. Denver is 1-6 ATS in their last seven playoff games as a road underdog. Tip-off is set for 10:00 ET on TNT.
Jokic and the Nuggets put up a spirited effort on Sunday to avoid being winless in this postseason. Jokic poured in 37 points to go with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Despite a slow start to the series, Jokic is averaging 31.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He finally got some support in the form of Monte Morris and Aaron Gordon. Morris scored 24 points, while Gordon contributed 21. Bones Hyland had 15 points off the bench, while Austin Rivers recorded five steals. The Nuggets are 10-3 against the spread in their last 13 road games.
In Sunday’s Game 4 loss, Klay Thompson scored 32 points while Steph Curry came off the bench and recorded 33 points. Curry is averaging 27.5 points in 28.3 minutes off the bench and played 37 minutes in Game 4. He also had eight assists and four steals. Jordan Poole started the first four games and is averaging 24.3 points, despite getting just 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting on Sunday. Draymond Green recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists on Sunday and a team-high +18 rating.
This series will end tonight. The Warriors are terrific at home and Denver can’t rely on its supporting cast to help out Jokic. Golden State won and covered the first two games at home easily, and will do the same on Wednesday.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
Pick: Warriors -9
