Warriors vs. Nuggets Monday NBA injury report, spread, odds: Golden State punting on game with Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson resting

The Golden State Warriors clearly believe that resting their key players tonight in Denver is more important than a victory as Coach Steve Kerr didn't even bring Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson to the Mile High City – plus Draymond Green remains out injured. Thus, the Dubs are 8-point underdogs at Caesars Sportsbook. It is the second of a back-to-back for Denver, which might not have Will Barton.

Tonight is the front end of a back-to-back for Golden State, which hosts the Clippers on Tuesday – Thompson likely will not play both ends of a back-to-back all season after missing the past two years due to serious injury. The Dubs enter on a four-game skid and are tied for the No. 2 seed in the West with Memphis. This is a makeup game of one postponed due to COVID in late December.

Kerr was not happy with where the NBA put this rescheduled game on the Dubs' schedule as they will have to play in three different cities in four nights: Los Angeles on Saturday (loss to Lakers), Denver tonight and then San Francisco on Tuesday.

"We're not sending a lot of our players to Denver," Kerr said after the Warriors' loss Saturday. "We're not going to put our high-minute guys at risk."

Also sitting tonight are Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala, so the Warriors' starting five likely will be Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, Moses Moody, Otto Porter and Kevon Looney.

This writer backed the Nuggets on Sunday at home vs. the Pelicans, and Denver staged a miracle comeback to win 138-130 in OT. The Nugs were down 11 points with 3:20 remaining in regulation. Reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic scored 30 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter and OT and also had 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his league-leading 17th triple-double of the season.

Barton left that game with a sprained ankle, so it seems likely he sits this one out. He averages 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.  Denver can't really just rest guys – or I might think Jokic gets tonight off after playing 43 minutes Sunday -- because the Nuggets are trying to stay out of the play-in tournament. They are sixth in the West, 2.5 games ahead of No. 7 Minnesota.

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total, and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on the Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short, sweet and to put some green in your pocket. Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss the Early Edge specials and live shows!