NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets Game 1
Game 1: Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets Sat. April 20, 2013 5:30 p.m. ET
The Denver Nuggets will open their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night with Stephen Curry and company coming into the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Although both teams are arguably evenly matched heading into this matchup, the Nuggets have the edge in Las Vegas odds and are currently considered the favorites to advance to the second round.
With Curry setting the NBA record for three-pointers in a single season, the Warriors will be a threat from outside throughout this series with the ability to hit from distance and to be a force offensively.
Despite the fact that the Warriors are a talented young team on the rise in the Western Conference, the Nuggets are by far the more experienced playoff team with arguably one of the best head coaches in the league in George Karl.
The matchup that will ultimately be determined by the play of the backcourt of both teams. The two players to keep an eye on will be point guards Curry and Ty Lawson.
As arguably two of the best floor generals in the league, Lawson and Curry will be the difference makers for their teams in this series. Curry is playing out of his mind right now with NBA defenses struggling to contain him offensively, but Lawson can be dangerous on both ends of the floor.
As of right now, the Nuggets are heavily favored to take Game 1 with a -8 point spread. With Denver losing only three games on their home floor this season, the Nuggets will be extremely tough to beat in the Mile High City for the first two games of this series.
Although the Warriors are a formidable force, the Nuggets should come out with the win in convincing fashion while setting the pace for the series moving forward.