The set-up: Denver broke a three-game slide with a win over the Lakers and it plays with revenge here after the Warriors drilled them at home earlier in the season. Denver catches the defending champs scuffling, as they've dropped five of their last eight, including an embarrassing blowout loss to the struggling Celtics on their own floor, a game in which they posted a measly 95 points. The Warriors on the ropes, but if there's on thing this team has done over the years is show it's mettle when up against adversity. And here's the perfect test and opponent to do that against. The Nuggets will be pushing the pace from start to finish as they look to avenge the earlier loss as well. So from an overall "situational" stand point, in my professional opinion this one absolutely sets up great as a higher-scoring affair.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well though, but Denver has seen the total go "over" the number in nine of its last 11 when trying to revenge a home loss vs. an opponent of ten points or more, while GS has seen the total fly "over" in both games that it's played in this year after playing to three or more consecutive "unders." This number is low, play the "over."

10* play