Golden State Warriors vs Washington Wizards: Warriors welcome back Green as they take on the Wizards

The NBA betting has been a tricky affair throughout the season and as we go towards the Playoffs, things are looking more complex. Because it means that various teams will be desperate to make a winning run as the window to make a big run keeps collapsing with each day. With the way things are going, there is a lot of speculation about who will make the top-six or sneak in a Play-in tournament spot. The Regular Season is now going to less for less than a month so yes, we are heading close to the Playoffs. Let us jump into the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Washington Wizards.

Context

Warriors will be better with Green

The Warriors are on a two-game winning streak but they struggled a bit on the defensive end without Draymond Green. Green is the team’s defensive anchor and someone who can also help in terms of ball-sharing duties to make up for a strong offensive unit. With a lineup of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, and Green, the Warriors can field a strong small ball lineup but for now, the Warriors will give Draymond limited minutes so he can recover from his injury sooner. However, once he is good to play major minutes, the above lineup will bring a ton of shooting, shot creation, playmaking, but yes, the team rebounding will need to become better in that case. The Warriors have compiled 46 wins and 22 losses, currently at third place in the Western Conference.

Wizards are falling out of the Play-in race

The Wizards had lost the plot recently and they have lost three games in a row away from home. They are now far away from the tenth spot and they have been unable to capitalize against below 50% win games too as of late. They haven’t had a two-game winning streak for more than two months and that has been their biggest issue as of late. With Beal out, the team already has a thin guard lineup. The Wizards have gotten strong performances from Kuzma at the big Forward while Kristaps Porzingis can be strong in the middle, and even though Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been decent on both ends, the overall balance on both offense and defense hasn’t been up-to-the-mark for a team that started with 10 wins and three losses.

Player Props Prediction

Assuming these players are available, these are my player-based predictions:

• I believe Stephen Curry will score at least 28 points here;
• I see Kyle Kuzma scoring at least 24 points;
• I believe Jordan Poole will score at least 20 points;
• I see Kristaps Porzingis scoring at least 20 points;
• I believe Andrew Wiggins will score at least 17 points;
• I see Corey Kispert scoring at least 14 points.

Expert Betting Tips

Points Range: I see the Golden State Warriors coming with a strong offensive outing here against a so-so defense of the Wizards. They have been able to cross past 110 more often than not these days. Although Green will play limited minutes, he is sure to have a decent impact on the defensive end. On the offensive end, the Wizards have been decent on the offensive end largely due to Kuzma’s elevated game, and as stated above, their defense hasn’t been up to the mark. I see the Warriors limiting the Wizards below 110 here while scoring at least 115. I see the total points range in 220-230.

Prediction: The Warriors have a stronger guard depth than the Wizards and with three players able to score 20 or more regularly, the Wizards will have trouble matching up to the Warriors. In the middle, the Wizards can pound some pain with Kristaps who can present size challenges. However, I believe the Warriors will do well to tackle the Wizards here and take this game 120:108.

Betting Odds

• Total 1 Over 118.5 for 1.86;
• Total Over 225.5 for 1.90;
• Player Props: Player Points: Kyle Kuzma Over 19.5 for 1.90.