NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Nuggets vs Warriors Predictions After Game 1

There was a “Poole Party” on Saturday night, as the Chase Center in San Francisco hosted its first-ever NBA playoff game. Jordan Poole looked like one of the “Splash Brothers” as he scored 30 points in his playoff debut to help lead the Golden State Warriors to a 123-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Not only did Poole shine in Game 1, but we also saw the return of Stephen Curry after being out for more than a month with a foot injury. The perimeter trio of Curry, Poole and Klay Thompson proved to be too much for Denver to handle, as Thompson also poured in 19 points on five three-pointers. If Denver doesn’t find a way to contain Golden State’s guards, the Nuggets will have a quick playoff exit.

It’s time to take a look at the rest of the series, and we’ll make our NBA Playoffs Betting prediction on what team will advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Denver v Golden State: Who Will Win the Series After Game 1

Who’s going to stop Nikola Jokic?

Even though Jokic had 25 points in Game 1, he was only 12-25 from the field. Between Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, the Warriors did a great job of keeping Jokic from taking the game over. Golden State has struggled to stop dominant post players in the past.

However, if Green and Looney continue to play at this level, Jokic will have issues. Jokic also shot and missed all four of his three-point attempts. When Jokic isn’t playing well, Denver tends to struggle.

Who’s going to help Jokic?

Will Barton scored 24 points, but other than Barton and Jokic, Monte Morris was the only other starter to score in double figures with 10 points.

Denver is going to need more contributions from the starting five, and they’re also going to need a bench player or two to help with the scoring. It’s obvious how much Denver has missed Jamal Murray this season.

Will Steve Kerr make a lineup change?

Since Curry has been out, Poole has been starting. Coming off of a 30-point performance, will Kerr continue to start Poole and bring Curry off the bench, or will Curry get his starting spot back? Kerr has a tough decision to make.

Does he want to ruin the chemistry of a team that has been on a winning streak, or will he put his future hall-of-famer back in his normal starting role?

WARRIORS!

That chant could be heard throughout the Chase Center late in Golden State’s victory on Saturday night. We’re thinking that the chant will be heard again in Game 2, as the Warriors will take a 2-0 lead into Denver.

Now, we think the Nuggets will earn a victory in one of their two home games, but this series won’t go any further than five games. Golden State will come home and clinch the series in Game 5. With Curry, Thompson, and Poole playing so well, Denver doesn’t have an answer to slow them down.

The Warriors will move on in the Western Conference playoffs.