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The Denver Nuggets are already on the brink of elimination after losing Game 3 of their series against the Golden State Warriors in a 118-113 defeat. Now down 0-3, it would take a monumental effort for Michael Malone's squad to turn things around and get back to the thick of things in this series.
Despite the odds, it's still not completely impossible, especially if they take it one game at a time. Making the proper adjustments heading to Game 4 would also help their cause as they try to avoid getting swept and letting the Warriors have a cakewalk in this opening-round matchup.
With that said, let's take a look at three bold predictions for the Nuggets in Game 4 of their series against the Warriors.
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Nuggets-Warriors Game 4 Predictions
3. Bench players will step up for the team this time around.
Bench production has been evidently lacking for the Nuggets in the first three games of this series. Their lack of contribution, especially on offense, has led Denver to absorb lopsided losses. Game 3 ending in a 118-113 defeat for the team has been the closest that the Nuggets have gotten to the Warriors thanks to Nikola Jokic's 37 points.
Even if the reigning MVP puts up another high-scoring output, the Nuggets would still need the rest of their guys to step up and contribute better come Game 4. Players like Austin Rivers, Bryn Forbes, Bones Hyland, Jamychal Green, and DeMarcus Cousins should all try to be more aggressive and help out their starters in terms of offensive production.
It would definitely be a welcome sight to see their bench mob have a more significant imprint on the game and will also increase the Nuggets' chances of stealing a win in this series, particularly against a loaded squad like the Warriors.
2. Nikola Jokic will tally a triple-double against the Warriors.
Nikola Jokic is no stranger to triple-double performances throughout his career. After failing to get significant help from his teammates in this series, the Serbian had to do more on the floor in order to allow his team to keep in step with their opponents.
In Game 3, Jokic had his best game of this opening-round matchup after tallying 37 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists in 38 minutes played. His heavy production allowed the Nuggets to keep the score tight against the Warriors in that game but it still wasn't enough to lift the team to a victory.
As the main man of the Nuggets, it is expected that Jokic would need to have a solid outing in order for the squad to have a good chance of winning a game in this series. Given that their season is already at stake, it wouldn't be hard to see him putting up a triple-double effort in a bid to extend their playoff lives for another day.
1. The Nuggets will lose by at least 15 points.
Throughout the 2021-22 season, the Warriors have proven that they have a legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run and potentially contending for the title this year. This was further emphasized when Klay Thompson finally returned midway through the season after a long absence due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Yes, they might have struggled a bit towards the latter end of the regular season but the depth of their roster is still pretty much a ton to deal with, especially for a Nuggets side that is playing without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Even if Denver's bench players step up and Nikola Jokic puts up a solid line of numbers in Game 4, the odds are still in favor of the Warriors who are already one game away from advancing to the next round.
They would definitely benefit from having an early rest from this series so it can be expected that they will do everything to get the job done already in Game 4. Given the depth and talent of this Warriors team, scoring a win by at least 15 points would be a realistic feat for them to achieve as they aim to secure their seat in the next round.
