Published on: Apr 18, 2022 11:09 pm IST|Updated on: Apr 18, 2022 11:09 pm IST
GSW vs DEN Dream11: The NBA Playoffs are raging and we have hit the most intense window of the 2021-22 season for sure. The Western Conference has already seen one upset as the Timberwolves defeated the Grizzlies away from where but table topper Phoenix Suns kept their heads up to pin down the Pelicans. And so did the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 and here they will take on the Denver Nuggets.
The Warriors cracked open the floodgates as they extracted a 123:107 win over the Denver Nuggets behind a 30-points outing by Jordan Poole. The Nuggets got totally taken over in the third quarter in the last game and they will have to make multiple adjustments. Center Nikola Jokic was unable to pull through in the last game and it is clear, the Nuggets need more out of players like Gordon and Morris to succeed here.
Host: Golden State Warriors Visitors: Denver Nuggets Match Timing: 17 April, @ 06:00 AM Venue: Chase Center
Adjustments to be made
The Warriors shot 50%+ from the field and that will get it done on most nights. They clicked on 16 threes at a 45% where Poole and Thompson both knocked down five each and Curry worked his magic with three triples within 22 minutes. You can’t beat this Warriors if they get their three-point shooting going because that is when they dial it even more on the defensive end. Steve Kerr has some beautiful combinations at his disposal.
On the other hand, the Nuggets didn’t shoot poorly, managing a 46% but their 31% three-point shooting is what held them back. The biggest concern was Aaron Gordon’s scoring as he managed just 8 points on 30% shooting. Although Jokic did collect 25 points, he wasn’t his usual efficienct self and the Warriors kept him away from the free-throw line as well. Will Barton had a strong night with 24 points but apart from Jokic and Barton, no one even came close to scoring more than 10 points.
The small lineup of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, Green will give the Nuggets’ defense fits, and then we have Otto Porter Jr and Gary Payton II as the defensive platoon off the bench, two players who can also run some small-ball lineups considering Otto is a terrific rebounder and defender. The Warriors can blitz the Nuggets on the offensive end while with Green as their defensive anchor, they can limit Jokic’s impact too. So what adjustments will the Nuggets make here?
Fantasy Related Tips
Jokic saw a hit in his production in the last game but there is no doubt that he will be in play for a big night here. He is bound to make some adjustments to his game. On the other hand, the Warriors have three players who can go off for big nights anytime, Poole, Thompson, and Curry are all capable of popping off. Meanwhile, Draymond Green is a more than formidable all-around player who stuffed the statsheet in the last game. Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, Bones Hyland, and Monte Morris are floater options while Will Barton solidified his case over Aaron Gordon after a scintillating performance.
Performance Predictions Leading Scorer: Nikola Jokic: 29 Leading Rebounder: Nikola Jokic: 14 Top Assists Deliverer: Nikola Jokic: 8 Scoreline Prediction: Warriors 115 Nuggets 105
Golden State Warriors Team News
Warriors Expected Starting Five Two-way Wings: SF: Andrew Wiggins Defensive Anchor and All-Around Forward: PF: Draymond Green Inside Presence: C: Kevon Looney Off-the-ball Perimeter threat: SG: Klay Thompson Three-Point threat: PG: Stephen Curry
BENCH: Moses Moody, Otto Porter Jr., Damion Lee, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Gary Payton II, Chris Chiozza, Nemanja Bjelica.
Denver Nuggets Team News
Nuggets Expected Starting Five Athletic Big Forward: PF: Aaron Gordon Athletic Wing: F: Jeff Green Superstar All-Around Threat: C: Nikola Jokic All-around Wing:SF: Will Barton Sharp-shooting Guard: PG: Monte Morris
BENCH: Bones Hyland, JaMychal Green, Bryn Forbes, DeMarcus Cousins, Austin Rivers, Davon Reed, Marcus Howard, Facundo Campazzo.
Nikola Jokic(DEN) Points: 25 Rebounds: 10 Assists: 06 Steals: 03 Blocks: 01 Nikola shot 40% in the last game and surely, Draymond pinned him down well on the defensive end. He will need to get close to 50% shooting here and I expect a 26-31 points, 11-15 rebounds, and 6-8 assists range from him. He is a candidate as Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 55-72
Stephen Curry(GSW) Points: 16 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 04 Point Guard Curry returned after a multiple weeks absence and he can be off minutes restriction. He will be in play as a sharpshooting perimeter threat and I expect a 25-31 points and 5-7 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 32-42
Will Barton(DEN) Points: 24 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 05 Blocks: 01 Wing Will had a 10/18 shooting night and his ability to do much more than scoring makes him an important component of the squad in multiple ways. I expect a 14-19 points, 4-6 rebounds, and 4-6 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 26-39
Jordan Poole(GSW) Points: 30 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 03 Point Guard Jordan has been outscoring Stephen at times and this says a lot about the Guard. He had an explosive night, shooting 9/13 from the field. I expect a 21-26 points and 3-6 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 26-36
Aaron Gordon(DEN) Points: 08 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 00 Power Forward Gordon is an athletic presence but had just 30% shooting night and he will need to step up his game in multiple ways. I expect a 16-22 points and 4-7 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-32
Draymond Green(GSW) Points: 12 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 09 Steals: 03 All-Around Forward Green has been one of the best defenders for the years and he will be huge for the Warriors during the Playoffs. He can be in 8-12 points, 5-8 rebounds, 6-9 assists, and 1-3 steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-36
(Recommended) PG: M Morris SG: K Thompson, N Bones Hyland SF: A Wiggins PF: O Porter, N Bjelica C: D Green(PP), N Jokic(SP)
(Alternate) PG: S Curry(PP), G Payton, M Morris SG: N Bones Hyland SF: A Gordon PF: O Porter, N Bjelica C: N Jokic(SP)
Don’t you want to watch Jokic going up against the Physical dynamo Draymond Green? In not the best piece of news, this game is available on streaming services JIO TV and Voot, the two official streaming platforms for viewers in India. On the other hand, VH1 and Sports 18 will show it on Television. That is why it is best to purchase the annual subscription, you can get close to all live games plus you also can get the full game replay if you are to miss the live stream. To know the scores, stats, and news, visit the official website of the NBA.