Posted on
4/10/2008 7:15:31 PM
NBA Betting Action – Warriors Host Nuggets for Final Playoff Spot
By Eric Williams
A sports betting basketball barn burner is brewing as the Denver Nuggets, (47-31 SU, 42-36 ATS, 46-32 O/U), and Golden State Warriors, (47-31 SU, 34-44 ATS, 42-34-2 O/U), square off tonight in what could literally be the biggest game of the season for each team as each club is tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the western conference.
Each team sports identical 47-31 records in the BetUS Sportsbook with four games remaining in the regular season, trailing the seventh-place Dallas Mavericks by two games.
"Two good teams who deserve to go to the playoffs are going to battle on Thursday night," Denver coach George Karl said. "When this thing all started evolving six or eight weeks ago, I remember circling the game with Golden State.
"We could get (to the playoffs) if we don't win. It could give us a big leg up if we do win."
The Nuggets enter tonight’s contest coming off a solid 117-99 win over the lowly Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, to snap a two-game losing streak after consecutive losses to Sacramento and Seattle.
Denver all-star Carmelo Anthony is averaging 40.3 on 68.1 percent (49-of-72) shooting from the field in his last three games.
"It's got to be like that Thursday," said Anthony, who's also averaging 32.3 points in his last three visits to Oakland. "I've got confidence it will be like that Thursday. It's a big game for us. Do I believe we have to win? No. But it's a must-win for us."
The Warriors are coming off a 140-132 win over Sacramento, as they scored their highest point total of the season.
"It's hard to be disappointed when you win and you score 140 points, but we're going to have to start guarding people a lot better than we did tonight," coach Don Nelson said. "They have shot-makers, but it's hard to get a stop for us right now."
Baron Davis had 33 points and nine assists in the win.
"We need to be a lot sharper, but a win is a win," Warriors forward Stephen Jackson said. "We can't hope for something to get us going. We have to go anyway. We knew we had to win. Guys are starting to feel that sense of urgency, (but) we just need to feel that as a whole."
The Nuggets are 7-3 in their last ten games and 6-4 against the spread over the same span. The Warriors are an identical 5-5 in their last ten games straight up and against the spread.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Nuggets are 7-1 ATS in their last eight when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Nuggets are 9-2 ATS in their last eleven Thursday games.
The Warriors are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
The Warriors are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Thursday games.
The Over is 8-1 in Nuggets last nine games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 4-0 in Warriors last four games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
The Over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Golden State.
The Over is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
Analysis: Well, one thing’s for sure about this contest, there will be absolutely no defense played in this game. Take the ‘Over’ first and foremost before taking the Nuggets to cover the spread in a close finish.
NBA Free Picks: Over 238½ Points/Nuggets +4½ Points
08:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Denver Nuggets +4½ -110
Golden State Warriors -4½ -110
Over 238½ -110
Under 238½ -110
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