Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors Picks and Predictions December 3rd 2024

Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors December 3rd 2024

At 10:00 ET, the Golden State Warriors (12-7) will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets (10-8) at Ball Arena. Currently, the Nuggets are favored by 5 points and have a moneyline of -196. The over/under line is sitting at 239.5.

This Western Conference matchup will be televised on TNT.

Warriors vs. Nuggets Key Information

Golden State’s record dropped to 12-7 after a 113-105 loss to the Suns on Saturday. The Warriors were +1.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 218 points fell well short of the 234.5-point O/U line.

After trailing 66-49 at halftime, Golden State rallied in the 3rd quarter, outscoring Phoenix 29-19. However, a 10-0 run by the Suns in the 4th quarter extended their lead from 94-86 to 104-86, sealing the game.

In their loss to the Suns, the Warriors shot just 41.3% from the field, with a 35% mark from three-point range, hitting 14 threes. Stephen Curry led the way with 23 points, 15 of which came in the 3rd quarter, despite shooting 38.1% overall and 30% from deep.

Andrew Wiggins contributed 18 points, knocking down 4 threes at a 44.4% clip. Draymond Green added 13 points, shooting 62.5% from the field. Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski each chipped in 12 points, with Kuminga scoring 8 in the 4th quarter.

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The Warriors struggled defensively in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 66 points, but they tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 19 points. Overall, they allowed 113 points on 48% shooting from the field in the loss to the Suns.

Golden State had a tough time defending the three, as Phoenix hit 18 threes at a 51% clip. The Warriors sent the Suns to the line 22 times, where they made 19 free throws. Defensively, the Warriors recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.

Denver fell to 10-8 on the season after a 126-122 loss to the Clippers on Sunday. The Nuggets, who were -3 point favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 248 exceeded the O/U line of 226 by 22 points.

Denver went on an 11-0 run to push their lead from 43-37 to 54-37, but the Clippers fought back. After a 36-27 2nd quarter, the Nuggets were outscored 33-31 in the 3rd and 34-32 in the 4th, narrowly trailing 92-90 going into the final period.

In their 126-122 loss to the Clippers, the Nuggets shot 58% from the field, with a 41.7% success rate from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes. Nikola Jokic led the way with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, scoring 15 points in the opening quarter.

Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray each added 18 points, with Porter shooting 72.7% from the field. Julian Strawther contributed 15 points, scoring 7 in the 2nd quarter and 8 in the 4th.

Defensively, the Nuggets struggled on Sunday, giving up 126 points to the Clippers. Denver allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter and 34 in the 4th, with their best defensive effort coming in the 2nd quarter, where they gave up 27 points. Overall, the Clippers shot 47% from the field.

The Nuggets had a tough time defending the perimeter, as the Clippers hit 18 threes at a 46% clip. Denver also sent the Clippers to the line 27 times, where they made 22 free throws. The Nuggets finished with 31 defensive rebounds, while allowing 13 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals and 3 blocks.

For a pick on the point-spread in this Nuggets vs. Warriors matchup, our bet is to grab the Warriors at +5. Even though our projections have the Nuggets winning 121-118, we see the Warriors as the play on the point-spread.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 239.5 and our model has the Warriors and Nuggets finishing with a combined 239 points. Our pick is to take the under.

Warriors Visit Nuggets, Looking to Finish 4-0 in NBA Cup Group Stage

The Golden State Warriors aim to complete a clean sweep of NBA Cup West Group C on Tuesday night when they face the Denver Nuggets in Denver. While the Warriors have already secured a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, they are seeking to snap a four-game losing streak and regain momentum.

Warriors Seek to Regain Rhythm

After a blistering start to the season, winning 12 of their first 15 games, Golden State has stumbled with four consecutive losses. Despite their recent struggles, the Warriors have shined in NBA Cup play, going 3-0 in group action with wins over Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Sacramento.

The most recent setback, a 113-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, has the Warriors searching for answers. Golden State coach Steve Kerr noted the difficulty of breaking out of a slump.

“We know what it takes to win basketball games at this level,” forward Draymond Green said. “When you’re in a bit of a rut, it’s never going to be easy to win. You’ve got to come with the necessary force that it takes to win, or (you) stay in a rut.”

Kerr hinted at potentially tightening the rotation to spark improvement, despite the team relying heavily on its depth early in the season. Thirteen players are averaging at least 12.1 minutes per game, helping to manage the workload of veteran stars like Stephen Curry, who is still performing at a high level at age 36.

Nuggets Search for Consistency

The Nuggets (1-2 in West Group C) have been alternating wins and losses over their past seven games. Sunday’s 126-122 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers underscored Denver’s recent struggles, particularly from the free-throw line. The Nuggets shot just 10-for-19 from the stripe, with forward Michael Porter Jr. missing three crucial attempts.

Porter, second on the team in scoring at 18.6 points per game, has been a focal point for Denver’s offense, though his free-throw percentage (62.2 percent) has dipped to a near-career low. Porter remains a critical piece of the Nuggets’ plans, having worked to stay on the court after battling injuries earlier in his career.

Denver welcomed back Aaron Gordon on Sunday after he missed 10 games with a calf strain. Gordon’s return bolsters a lineup that relies heavily on reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and Porter for offensive production.

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Matchup Outlook

• Key Players to Watch:
  • Warriors: Stephen Curry leads Golden State, supported by veterans Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. The team’s depth has been a strength, but Kerr’s rotation adjustments could see increased minutes for key contributors.
  • Nuggets: Nikola Jokić anchors Denver’s offense, while Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon provide versatility. Porter’s shooting and Gordon’s physical presence will be pivotal against Golden State.
• Storylines:
  • Golden State looks to shake off its losing streak and solidify its NBA Cup dominance.
  • Denver hopes to build momentum after a streak of inconsistent performances and play spoiler to the Warriors’ perfect group-stage record.

With Golden State’s quest to snap out of its funk and Denver’s focus on finding rhythm, Tuesday’s game promises an intriguing clash of two Western Conference contenders. A win for the Warriors could set a confident tone heading into the NBA Cup quarterfinals, while the Nuggets aim to bounce back and maintain their footing in the West.