Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions March 17th 2025

Sizzling Warriors Look to Snap Nuggets’ Streak and Stop Nikola Jokić

If the NBA Championship started today, we would be looking at a first-round thriller between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. But before that happens, these two teams have a lot to prove in their matchup on Monday night in San Francisco.

The Nuggets (43-25) currently hold the third seed in the Western Conference, meaning they would have home-court advantage in a potential playoff series against the sixth-seeded Warriors (39-28). Denver has dominated this matchup in recent years, winning eight straight games, including a 119-115 victory in December.

However, Golden State has a new weapon this time: Jimmy Butler. The former Miami Heat star has made an immediate impact since joining the Warriors, helping them go 14-2 since his arrival. His presence could be the key to finally breaking Denver’s winning streak against Golden State.

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Jimmy Butler Ignites the Warriors

Since joining the team, Butler has transformed the Warriors’ season. They have won seven straight games, pushing their record to 11 games over .500, their best mark of the season.

Even Stephen Curry, who had 24 points and 11 assists in the Warriors’ last loss to Denver, knows the Pacific Division race is still far from settled.

“Sixth place has been a great floor for us right now, knowing that we still don’t have any comfort room or safety net,” Curry said. “We have to keep winning.”

Golden State has been thriving at home, riding the momentum of a 4-1 Eastern Conference road trip into a dominant seven-game homestand. Their 97-94 win over the Knicks on Saturday was not easy, but it kept them on track ahead of this high-stakes showdown with Denver.

Nikola Jokić: The Nuggets’ Unstoppable Force

On the other side, Nikola Jokić continues to be one of the NBA MVP frontrunners and the engine behind Denver’s success. His recent performances have been nothing short of dominant, including a 40-point, 13-rebound, 9-assist game in a shocking loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

But Jokić is not just about numbers. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate knows that how Denver finishes the regular season will dictate its postseason success.

His record against the Warriors speaks for itself. He has posted three triple-doubles in Denver’s last eight wins over Golden State, including a 38-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist, 5-steal performance in December.

Warriors, Nuggets, and the Battle for Playoff Positioning

Both teams are in win-now mode as they gear up for what looks like a competitive postseason. The Western Conference is packed with contenders, with teams in the Northwest Division, Southwest Division, and Pacific Division all battling for playoff positioning.

For the Warriors, their biggest challenge is keeping their NBA 6th Man of the Year candidate, likely Chris Paul, fresh while relying on clutch players like Curry and Butler to carry them through the final stretch of the season.

For the Nuggets, maintaining their dominance will be key. With Jokić leading as the team’s NBA Blocks Leader, NBA Rebounds Leader, and NBA Assist Leader, Denver has the tools to stay near the top of the conference.

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What’s Next?

The Warriors’ playoff fate is still up in the air as they close a grueling three-games-in-four-nights stretch against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets need consistency after alternating wins and losses in their last six games. They may not catch Oklahoma City for the top seed in the Western Conference, but a strong finish will be crucial for their title defense.

One thing is certain: This NBA Summer League season showcased the next generation of stars, but now it is time for the NBA’s biggest names to take over.

Can the Warriors break their losing streak against Denver, or will Jokić prove once again why he is the most dominant big man in the league?