Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets travel to Oklahoma City to face Chris Paul and the Thunder in a possible first round playoff matchup in the Western Conference. OKC hopes to hand Denver its first divisional loss this season when the two sides play on Friday night.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Nuggets are four games back of first place in the West after losing to the conference-leading Lakers just before the All-Star break. Denver is still 7-3 straight up and against the spread (ATS) over its last 10 games.
The club is a perfect 10-0 against the number in its last 10 games against the Thunder including earlier this season when it won 110-102 as a 5.5-point home favourite back in December. The Nuggets are averaging 119.3 points per 100 possessions over their last seven games. The Over is 6-1 during that same run of games.
Denver has the sixth shortest odds to win the NBA championship at Sports Interaction. The online sportsbook lists the Nuggets at +1500 to win the title. Only the Milwaukee Bucks (+250), Los Angeles Lakers (+300), Los Angeles Clippers (+310), Toronto Raptors (+1200) and Houston Rockets have better odds.
Oklahoma City is the best spread bet in the NBA. The squad is 36-19 ATS and 33-22 SU despite losing Russell Westbrook and Paul George in the offseason.
The bulk of the ATS success comes away from home. The Thunder are 21-5 against the number on the road and 15-14 ATS at home this season. Even more troubling for OKC backers: their team is just 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS in its last five home dates.
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic started the campaign slow but he’s rounding into shape nicely for Denver supporters. The big man is averaging 24.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists over his last 15 games. Those numbers differ quite a bit from what he was putting up in the first month of the season.
The Serbian centre isn’t the only Nugget on a hot streak. Canadian combo guard Jamal Murray is shooting 46.2 percent from 3-point range on more than seven attempts per game this month.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Murray isn’t the only Canadian kid on the court in this contest. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder in scoring at nearly 20 points a night. The Toronto native was the prize acquisition – along with all those first round picks – in the Paul George trade with the Clippers. The second-year guard seems poised to be the next NBA star in Oklahoma City.
Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Thunder?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Jamal Murray (SG)
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Jerami Grant (SF)
Paul Millsap (PF)
Troy Daniels (SG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Deonte Burton (PG)
Steven Adams (C)
Abdel Nader (SF)
Luguentz Dort (SG)
Danilo Gallinari (SF)
Nerlens Noel (C)
Andre Roberson (SG)
Steven Adams (C)
Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Mike Muscala (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 26 / 09 / 20 | 0-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Murray is expected to be active for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers despite a right knee contusion. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Ques Tues | Hip - 13 / 09 / 20 | 5-1 | 3-3-1 | + - |
|
Murray has a right hip injury, and his status is in question for Game 7 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 11 / 09 / 20 | 5-2 | 3-4-1 | + - |
|
Craig is managing a sore right knee, but likely to be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Jamal Murray (SG) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20 | 8-3 | 4-7-2 | + - |
|
Murray is expected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers despite a quad contusion. |
|||||
| Michael Porter Jr. (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 10-8-2 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is not expected to suit up Friday against the Raptors as he likely will be given the day to rest. |
|||||
| Jerami Grant (SF) | Prob Wed | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 13-7 | 12-8-2 | + - |
|
Grant missed the last game battling a sore right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's clash with the Clippers. |
|||||
| Paul Millsap (PF) | Out Thurs | Rest - 06 / 08 / 20 | 14-8 | 14-8-2 | + - |
|
Millsap will not suit up Thursday against the Trail Blazers as he likely will be given the day to rest. |
|||||
| Troy Daniels (SG) | Ques Wed | Hip - 06 / 08 / 20 | 14-8 | 14-8-2 | + - |
|
Daniels has been out of the lineup in the previous three games due to tightness in his right hip. It remains to be seen if he will take the court Wednesday versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Ques Thurs | Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20 | 15-8 | 15-8-2 | + - |
|
Craig left the last game with a lip laceration, and it is up in the air if he will play in Thursday's contest with the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
| Vlatko Cancar (SF) | Out indefinitely | Foot - 31 / 07 / 20 | 15-9 | 16-8-2 | + - |
|
Cancar is sidelined while recovering from a broken left foot, and it is uncertain when he will join the team. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deonte Burton (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 24 / 08 / 20 | 3-1 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Burton is ailing from a stomach illness, and it is unclear if he will fight it off in time for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Mon | Knee - 22 / 08 / 20 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Adams has a bruised right knee but is expected to be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets. |
|||||
| Abdel Nader (SF) | Prob Tues | Neck - 16 / 08 / 20 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nader is battling a neck injury, but it is expected that he will play versus the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets. |
|||||
| Luguentz Dort (SG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 | 4-5 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Dort suffered a right knee sprain, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets. |
|||||
| Danilo Gallinari (SF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-5 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Gallinari was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a left ankle injury, but it is expected that he will be in Wednesday's lineup against the Heat. |
|||||
| Nerlens Noel (C) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Noel missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but he is projected to be active against the Heat on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Andre Roberson (SG) | Ques Mon | Foot - 09 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Roberson sat out the previous game due to a sore right foot, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Suns on Monday. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Wed | Leg - 07 / 08 / 20 | 6-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Adams has sat out the past three games with a left lower-leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will return to action Wednesday versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Terrance Ferguson (SG) | Ques Fri | Leg - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Ferguson has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to a right lower-leg contusion, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status for Friday's matchup with the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Mike Muscala (PF) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Muscala has cleared the league's concussion protocol, and will likely make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Wizards. |
|||||
-
Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
Injuries
Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 09 / 20Jamal Murray (SG)
Ques Tues Hip - 13 / 09 / 20Torrey Craig (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 09 / 20Jamal Murray (SG)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20Michael Porter Jr. (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20Jerami Grant (SF)
Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20Paul Millsap (PF)
Out Thurs Rest - 06 / 08 / 20Troy Daniels (SG)
Ques Wed Hip - 06 / 08 / 20Torrey Craig (SF)
Ques Thurs Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20Vlatko Cancar (SF)
Out indefinitely Foot - 31 / 07 / 20Deonte Burton (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 08 / 20Steven Adams (C)
Prob Mon Knee - 22 / 08 / 20Abdel Nader (SF)
Prob Tues Neck - 16 / 08 / 20Luguentz Dort (SG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20Danilo Gallinari (SF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20Nerlens Noel (C)
Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20Andre Roberson (SG)
Ques Mon Foot - 09 / 08 / 20Steven Adams (C)
Prob Wed Leg - 07 / 08 / 20Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Ques Fri Leg - 03 / 08 / 20Mike Muscala (PF)
Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 09 / 20 0-0 1-0 + - Murray is expected to be active for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers despite a right knee contusion.
Jamal Murray (SG) Ques Tues Hip - 13 / 09 / 20 5-1 3-3-1 + - Murray has a right hip injury, and his status is in question for Game 7 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers.
Torrey Craig (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 09 / 20 5-2 3-4-1 + - Craig is managing a sore right knee, but likely to be available for Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers.
Jamal Murray (SG) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 02 / 09 / 20 8-3 4-7-2 + - Murray is expected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Clippers despite a quad contusion.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20 11-7 10-8-2 + - Porter Jr. is not expected to suit up Friday against the Raptors as he likely will be given the day to rest.
Jerami Grant (SF) Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 13-7 12-8-2 + - Grant missed the last game battling a sore right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's clash with the Clippers.
Paul Millsap (PF) Out Thurs Rest - 06 / 08 / 20 14-8 14-8-2 + - Millsap will not suit up Thursday against the Trail Blazers as he likely will be given the day to rest.
Troy Daniels (SG) Ques Wed Hip - 06 / 08 / 20 14-8 14-8-2 + - Daniels has been out of the lineup in the previous three games due to tightness in his right hip. It remains to be seen if he will take the court Wednesday versus the Clippers.
Torrey Craig (SF) Ques Thurs Mouth - 05 / 08 / 20 15-8 15-8-2 + - Craig left the last game with a lip laceration, and it is up in the air if he will play in Thursday's contest with the Trail Blazers.
Vlatko Cancar (SF) Out indefinitely Foot - 31 / 07 / 20 15-9 16-8-2 + - Cancar is sidelined while recovering from a broken left foot, and it is uncertain when he will join the team.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Deonte Burton (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 08 / 20 3-1 2-2 + - Burton is ailing from a stomach illness, and it is unclear if he will fight it off in time for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Mon Knee - 22 / 08 / 20 3-2 2-3 + - Adams has a bruised right knee but is expected to be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Abdel Nader (SF) Prob Tues Neck - 16 / 08 / 20 3-4 3-4 + - Nader is battling a neck injury, but it is expected that he will play versus the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Luguentz Dort (SG) Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 4-5 5-4 + - Dort suffered a right knee sprain, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Danilo Gallinari (SF) Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 5-5 6-4 + - Gallinari was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a left ankle injury, but it is expected that he will be in Wednesday's lineup against the Heat.
Nerlens Noel (C) Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-5 + - Noel missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but he is projected to be active against the Heat on Wednesday.
Andre Roberson (SG) Ques Mon Foot - 09 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-5 + - Roberson sat out the previous game due to a sore right foot, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Suns on Monday.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Wed Leg - 07 / 08 / 20 6-6 6-6 + - Adams has sat out the past three games with a left lower-leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will return to action Wednesday versus the Heat.
Terrance Ferguson (SG) Ques Fri Leg - 03 / 08 / 20 7-7 7-7 + - Ferguson has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to a right lower-leg contusion, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status for Friday's matchup with the Grizzlies.
Mike Muscala (PF) Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20 7-7 7-7 + - Muscala has cleared the league's concussion protocol, and will likely make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Wizards.