The opening day of the 2022 NBA Playoffs closes down with the Western Conference showdown at Chase Center in San Francisco, so we have prepared the best Nuggets vs. Warriors betting pick along with the latest odds update on MyBookie Sportsbook.

Golden State opened as a 6.5-point home fave for Game 1, while the totals sat at 223.5 points. The Warriors beat the Nuggets last time they met, 113-102, as Denver blew a chance to sweep their four-game regular-season series. 

The Nuggets eye their fourth straight road victory     

The Denver Nuggets (48-34; 37-45 ATS) have been pretty much a hit-or-miss lately, going 6-6 straight up and 4-8 ATS in their final 12 games of the 2021-22 regular season. Still, the Nuggets have been terrific away from home. They’ve gone 13-4 SU and ATS in their previous 17 road contests and are undefeated in three consecutive showings on the road.

Denver finished sixth in the Western Conference, one game behind the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz and two games ahead of the No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves, who had to enter the play-in tournament. The Nuggets rank sixth in the NBA in offensive efficiency (114.5 points per 100 possessions) and 15th in defensive efficiency (112.1).

Nikola Jokic enjoyed another terrific regular season. The reigning MVP averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists, making 58.3% of his field goals and 81.0% of his free throws. Aaron Gordon became the second-scoring option for the Nuggets in Jamal Murray’s absence, tallying 15.0 points a night. Murray (knee) is doubtful to play in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

The Warriors shoot for their sixth straight W             

The Golden State Warriors (53-29; 41-37-4 ATS) wrapped up the regular season on a high note, riding a five-game winning streak. They had a tough time in March, and since Stephen Curry’s foot injury on March 16, the Dubs have dropped six of their next seven games.

Reportedly, Curry will return to the Warriors’ starting lineup Saturday against the Nuggets. The eight-time All-Star has been the Dubs’ best player so far this season, tallying 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.

The Warriors are the No. 3 seed in the West. They boast the best defensive rating in the NBA, yielding only 106.9 points per 100 possessions. On the other side of the ball, the Warriors are scoring 112.5 points per 100 possessions (17th) on 46.9% shooting from the field (8th) and 36.4% from beyond the arc (tied-7th).

Trends:

Denver:

  • 6-12 ATS in the last 18 games overall
  • 3-9 ATS in the last 12 games against Golden State
  • 3-8 ATS in the last 11 games against the Western Conference 

Golden State:

  • 5-1 ATS in the last six games overall
  • 5-2 ATS in the last seven home games against Denver
  • 4-1 ATS in the last five games against the Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors Pick

I’m taking the Warriors to win and cover on the back of their defense. Over their last ten outings, the Warriors have allowed 110.3 points per 100 possessions. On the other side, the Nuggets have struggled to defend in their previous ten showings, yielding 119.5 points per 100 possessions.

With Stephen Curry back in the lineup, the Dubs should torture the Nuggets’ shaky D. Golden State will certainly have problems slowing down Nikola Jokic, but the Nuggets won’t keep it close if they don’t improve on the defensive side of things.

Pick: Take Golden State Warriors -6.5 at -110   

The Total:

The Nuggets have registered 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes in their last ten outings, which is surprising given the way they usually like to play. Denver finished the regular season with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and the Nuggets shouldn’t be looking to speed up things against the Warriors, who average 98.4 possessions per 48 minutes.

The under is 6-2 in the last eight encounters between Denver and Golden State. The over is 9-4 in the Nuggets’ last 13 games overall, while the under is 5-2 in the Warriors’ previous seven.

Pick: Go under 223.5 points at -110