The Golden State Warriors (5-4) face the Denver Nuggets (5-2) Friday in NBA Cup group stage action. Tip-off from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, is set for 10 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Warriors vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Jokić is still the biggest absence, and the numbers are even more dramatic than what we saw last season. There is still plenty of season to be had and a lot of comfort the Nuggets can find with Valanciunas, but the dropoff of 29.1 points per 100 possessions is beyond dramatic with the Nuggets trying to get Jokić just 13 minutes of rest every game.

Golden State will be without its leading scorer in Friday's Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Group Play matchup against Denver.

While Warriors guard Stephen Curry will reportedly miss the Nuggets game, check injury updates on Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

The Golden State Warriors begin their quest for the NBA Cup on Friday night while the Denver Nuggets need a win to stay alive in West Group C.

BOTTOM LINE: The Golden State Warriors travel to face the Golden State Warriors in an NBA Cup in-season tournament group play matchup. Denver finished 50-32 overall and 32-20 in Western Conference games a season ago. The Nuggets averaged 120.8 points per game last season, 17.9 from the free-throw line and 36 from deep.

After stringing together a three-game winning streak to cement themselves as one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets suffered a

The sneaky Jonas Valanciunas move that could work out best for the Nuggets and all parties involved in potential trade talks.