2013 NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets Preview

Center – Andrew Bogut vs. Kosta Koufos

Bogut is a big “if” for the Warriors. He played 17 minutes in Golden State’s season finales on Wednesday, but he hardly looked healthy.

Mar 21, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Kosta Koufos (41) during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

By now, you probably sense that the Nuggets are a huge team. The Warriors aren’t tiny, but they aren’t on Denver’s level. So without Bogut, the size differential becomes an even bigger factor.

Additionally, the Nuggets have two seven-footers–Javale McGee and Timofey Mozgov–that can come of the bench. Golden State’s biggest bench players that are constants within the rotation, are Carl Landry and Festus Ezeli.

Neither Bogut or Koufos is dominant in post-up situations. They aren’t merely the main source of energy for their team. Since Denver is bigger up front, though, Koufos should win the rebounding battle, which is where I’ll draw the line.

Advantage Denver