Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Prediction, NBA Odds
The NBA’s best team travels to face its hottest team when the Oklahoma City Thunder play in Denver against the Nuggets Friday at 9 p.m. ET.
The reigning NBA champs have already clinched the Western Conference with 64 wins. OKC has won seven straight and 19 of 20 coming into Friday’s contest. They have also won nine of 10 on the road, including a dominating 128-110 victory at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Chet Holmgren had 30 points and 14 rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points and 11 assists in the victory.
And yet, the Thunder are the second-hottest team in this matchup. The Nuggets have won 10 straight and sit one game ahead of both the Lakers and the Rockets for the West’s third seed. Denver has also won 10 straight at home, including a 136-119 victory over Memphis on Wednesday. Jamal Murray led eight Nuggets in double figures with 26 points, while Nikola Jokic had 14 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in his 34th triple-double.
Thunder vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Odds
In anticipation of sitting multiple starters, or at least limiting their minutes, the Thunder enter as an 11.5-point underdog on the NBA odds. The moneyline favours Denver heavily at -575, while OKC sits at +425.
The over/under is set at 231.5 points. The total has gone over in four of Oklahoma City’s last five games, and seven of Denver’s last nine contests. These teams have played to the over in all three meetings this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
SGA is the front-runner to repeat as the league’s MVP, as he has again led a spectacular season for the Thunder. If Holmgren can regularly go for 30 and 14 like he did on Wednesday, the Thunder will again be a tough out in the playoffs.
This is a rough contest to handicap from the perspective of just who OKC will sit, or at least limit. Several key rotation players, including Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, are listed as out or resting.
The spread suggests even more players could be sitting completely, possibly even SGA and Holmgren. Getting 11.5 points on the Thunder is like seeing a unicorn gallop across the prairie, but do your due diligence to find out just who is and is not playing.
Denver Nuggets
The Western Conference is unrelenting. Denver’s 10 consecutive wins allowed them to jump the Lakers and the Rockets, but both teams are just one game behind with two to go, so Denver cannot afford to let up.
Even so, their dangerous trio of Murray, Jokic and Aaron Gordon are all listed as questionable with lingering injuries or injury management concerns.
Jokic, who is averaging a triple-double for the season, is again putting up MVP numbers, but he most likely won’t pick up his fourth Michael Jordan Trophy with SGA and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama decided favourites ahead of him.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Thunder vs. Nuggets?
The Thunder are 6-1 straight up, but just 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games against the Nuggets. They have won each of the three previous meetings with Denver this season.
However, things are different with nothing on the line in this game and everything on the line starting next week. Look for OKC to hold back enough for Denver to win, but still cover as massive underdogs. Take the Nuggets, 122-115.
OKC
DEN