The Denver Nuggets, a heavy favorite to win their opening round series with Golden State, will look to avoid elimination at the hands of the Warriors tonight when they two teams clash at the Pepsi Center. This evening’s Game 5 showdown is scheduled to tip off at 8:00pm ET on TNT. 2013 NBA Playoff Picks are expecting the Nuggets to extend the series to six games as they are favored at -7.5 against the spread. The Over/Under is set at 212 points and the Warriors are drawing +315 moneyline odds to end the series tonight.

 

It is safe to say Denver never expected to be in this position (brink of elimination), especially after Golden State lost David Lee in Game 1, but it finds itself here nonetheless. The Warriors hot shooting is the reason for Denver's precarious position and it continued to make life difficult on the Nuggets when the two teams met on Sunday night.

 

Golden State shot 55.7 percent from the field to win Game 4 115-101 at the ORACLE Arena. The Warriors had a number of big offensive contributors, but Stephen Curry led the team to its 3-1 series lead by knocking down 10-of-16 shots from the field and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. Curry, who drained six of his 11 three-point attempts, finished the game with 31 points, seven assists, and four steals.

 

Fortunately for the Nuggets, they return home tonight, which means they have a wonderful opportunity to play in a Game 6. Yes, Denver did lose Game 2 at the Pepsi Center, but that setback served as its fourth home loss of the season.

 

With elimination a possibility, the Nuggets could use a little home magic, and that, in all probability, is what they will get. Besides, the law of averages says Golden State has to cool off at some point.

 

Notable Trend: The Nuggets are 10-0 straight up and 9-1 against the spread in their last 10 games as a home favorite with a spread between 4 and 7.5 points.

 

 

Golden State Warriors +7.5 (-110), Over 212 (-110), +315 (Moneyline)

 

Denver Nuggets -7.5 (-110), Under 212 (-110), -390 (Moneyline)

 

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