Golden State vs Denver: The visitors will try to play defensively

Golden State guard Klay Thompson said after his recent game against the Nuggets that he would hate to return to Denver for Game 6 of the playoffs as the team is determined to decide the series now. Will the Warriors secure a 2nd round exit? 

Warriors are shooting 42.3% from three-point range in the current playoffs, with Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson in particular. Steph Curry is slowly recovering from his injury, while still starting on the bench. Golden State have good roster depth in the postseason, with ten players averaging more than 10 minutes on the floor. Only James Wiseman, who has not played a single game this season, is still out on the Warriors' injured reserve.

The day before Steve Kerr's team allowed Denver to cut the deficit in the series, losing with a score of 121:126. Thus Golden State's 8-match winning streak, including three playoff games, snapped. Klay Thompson was the only rebounder with 32 points and 7 three-pointers. Steph Curry was the highest scorer on the team with 33 points. Also, Andrew Wiggins made 9 of 16 shots from the field.

The Nuggets have won only 4 of their last ten games, and you can't blame Nikola Jokic for that. The Serbian center has been historically efficient on the offensive end, while his teammates have been extremely unstable. Will Barton and Aaron Gordon rarely create scoring chances, and Barton is often too reckless in the paint. Jamal Murray will definitely not be on the floor this season, and Michael Porter expressed hope of his return during the series with Golden State, but there is still no certainty.

In their last game against the Warriors, Michael Malone's men shot 48.4 percent from three-point range and won largely because of that. Monte Morris was outstanding, hitting five three-pointers, and at one point in the 1st half, Bones Hyland hit three three-pointers in a row. Nikola Jokic was unstoppable, with 37 points and six assists.

Denver have played good defense in the current playoffs, but so far, the games are productive, and the teams are constantly hitting the announced totals. For example, in the last game, Golden State scored only 21 points in the 1st quarter, and the Nuggets were very careful defensively indeed. The Warriors also look good in their half, and the same Draymond Green plays an important role on the team. Denver have shown that he's capable of neutralizing Jordan Poole, and it's unclear if the young point guard can add in Game 5. I suggest betting on the following outcomes:

• Golden State handicap (-8.5) for 1.82;
• Total Under 227.5 points for 1.77;
• Nikola Jokic: Total Over 30.5 points for 1.83.

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