NBA Picks: Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors
Wednesday, 1/15/14, 10:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Golden State -7
Current Betting Line: Golden State -7
Opening Total: 212
Current Total: 213
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Golden State Warriors are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games

Denver had its five-game winning streak snapped last time out, as it dropped a 118-103 decision to the Utah Jazz as six-point road favorites Monday, while going OVER the betting total for the sixth time in seven contests. The Nuggets are 8-10 SU on the road, including a 4-8 mark versus Western Conference opponents, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. The franchise needs to start turning things around defensively, as it has allowed an average of 114 points over its last five games away from the Pepsi Center. Denver is 5-10 SU and 9-6 ATS as road underdogs of 6.5 to 9 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Nuggets will need a big game out of point guard Ty Lawson, who is averaging 11.6 assists during this particular calendar month, as he’ll be matched up with Warriors leading scorer Stephen Curry. Denver entered its last contest with the bench ranked third in the league in averaging 42.0 points per game. The team’s reserves have outscored their opponents counterparts in 28 of its first 36 games of the 2013-14 campaign.

Golden State has won 11 of its last 12 games, including a 99-97 victory over the Boston Celtics as 11.5-point home favorites last time out, while going UNDER the betting total of 204.5. The Warriors have four of five probable starters averaging in double figures, while that particular group has won 20 of 24 games when playing with one another since opening night. Curry ranks second in the league in assists per game, third in 3-pointers made and eighth in scoring. Golden State is 3-1 SUATS as home favorites of 6.5 to 9 points this season.

The Warriors are 12-4 SU at Oracle Arena, including a 9-4 mark versus conference rivals. Golden State earned an 89-81 victory over Denver as 1.5-point road favorites in the first meeting this season on Dec. 23, with that contest falling short of the betting total of 208. The franchise has played a league-high 23 road games in comparison to just 16 affairs in the Bay Area.