Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 2 Prediction, Odds
The Nuggets pulled off a shocking victory to open this series, overcoming a 13-point deficit halfway through the fourth quarter on the road. Denver completed the 121-119 comeback win with an Aaron Gordon three in the final three seconds.
As expected, the Game 1 victory for Denver required a monster Nikola Jokic performance. The three-time MVP finished with 42 points and 22 rebounds in Game 1, both game-highs. More importantly, Jokic outduelled fellow 2025 MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 1. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 33-point, 10-rebound, eight-assist showing in Game 1 was nothing to laugh at, but the fact is Jokic has set the standard as to what’s expected from these NBA stars.
Tip-off for Game 2 gets started at 9:30 p.m. EDT with the Thunder an 11.5-point favourite at home and the over-under at 230.5 on the NBA odds.
Nuggets vs. Thunder NBA Betting Odds
The Nuggets entered this series as a massive underdog, although getting a road victory and 1-0 series lead against the NBA’s top team hasn’t changed much in the NBA oddsmakers minds. Oklahoma City remains a -300 favourite to win this series, with oddsmakers pegging OKC in six games the most likely series result at +225 odds. A Denver sweep is listed at +2500 odds.
Despite the 1-0 series lead, Denver is a double-digit underdog entering Game 2. The good news for Nuggets backers is Denver is now 6-1 ATS in their last seven visits to Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 9-2 ATS overall in their last 11 home outings, but are 0-3 ATS in their last three games in the playoffs. Jokic and the Nuggets are very much a live dog when playing at their best too — never mind covering a double-digit spread.
Game 1 finished over the total and was the fourth-straight Nuggets game to hit the over.
Denver Nuggets
While Jokic’s stat line and Gordon’s late three-pointer stole the headlines from Denver’s Game 1 win, the Nuggets got a well-rounded performance on Monday which was just as essential to pulling off the upset. Jamal Murray contributed with 21 points, Christian Braun finished with a double-double, and Russell Westbrook delivered 18 points off the bench. Westbrook dished an assist to Gordon for his game-winner too.
Denver’s task at hand starts with Jokic being the best player on the court, but from there the upset is only possible if the supporting cast delivers too. Gordon didn’t just hit the clutch shot but was active all game with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Then Game 1 was Braun’s second double-double of the post-season, as the 24-year-old continues to elevate his game in the post-season by grabbing boards. These are the types of performances Denver needs to advance.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Last season the Thunder rose to 57 wins during the regular season, finished tied for first in the West, and made the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. A second-round exit was disappointing, but not that unexpected given OKC’s rise to the top and lack of experience. This season is a different story; a 68-14 season has the Thunder as the favourites to win the NBA Finals, a position they still hold despite the 1-0 series deficit.
A prime example of OKC still lacking composure in big moments was Chet Holmgren’s two missed free throws while the Thunder held a 119-118 lead in the final moments on Game 1. The 23-year-old’s misses opened the door for a Denver game-winner, and the rest is history. The good news is that it’s an easy fix, and if OKC stays calm in the big moments they should be just fine moving forward.
DEN
OKC