Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Game 4 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
The Nuggets re-gained the series lead on Friday night with a 113-104 overtime victory, improving to 4-1 at home in the playoffs. Denver’s best has gotten them a pair of wins over the Thunder, but this series has also seen what happens when Denver isn’t on their A-game… a 43-point loss.
The Nuggets are halfway there to pulling an upset over the NBA’s top seed, but this series is far from over. On the flip side, the Thunder can say they have played poorly in both their losses this series but played great when they reached NBA records in a Game 2 victory. The biggest question that lies in the remainder of this series: which OKC team will come to play?
Tip-off for Game 4 at Ball Arena goes at 3:30 p.m. EDT with the Thunder a 6.5-point road favourite and the total at 227.5 on the NBA odds.
Thunder vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Odds
Denver’s 2-1 series lead isn’t changing who’s the favourite in this series. Entering Game 4 on the road, Oklahoma City remains a -210 series favourite despite trailing. NBA oddsmakers have Thunder in seven as the most likely series outcome at +170 odds. OKC remains the favourite to win it all too, currently at +175 odds.
Game 3’s 217 points was the lowest game total in quite some time for both teams, despite Game 3 going to overtime too. Five of the last six Thunder–Nuggets contests played in Denver have finished under the total. Denver is now 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven outings. The winning team has covered with ease in all three games this series.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder’s lack of killer instinct in big moments remains a big topic. OKC scored two points in the five-minute overtime in Game 3, which nearly became a double-digit loss. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 18 points on seven of 22 shooting from the field, while also missing a potential game-winner in regulation. If not for a 32-point night from Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City would’ve been on the wrong end of a blowout.
The Jekyll and Hyde of the Thunder is what’s most confusing, or concerning right now. In Game 2 the Thunder looked like a 68-win team as they cruised to a 43-point win. But two close losses in which they failed to deliver in the clutch has doubts creeping in on whether this Thunder team can win in the post-season. If that’s to go away, it starts with Gilgeous-Alexander.
Denver Nuggets
It seemed as if the difference-maker for Denver was whether Nikola Jokic can post ridiculous stat lines, when in reality it’s been whether they can get balanced scoring from their starting five. Four starters reached 20 points in Game 3’s victory, led by Jamal Murray’s 27 points. Jokic still had a dominant night, grabbing 20 points and 16 rebounds but it was the secondary contributions that put Denver across the finish line. Aaron Gordon was yet again crucial in the win, dropping 22 points and eight rebounds along with more clutch three-pointers. A hurt Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 points off seven of 10 shooting from the field.
A track meet with the Thunder isn’t in the Nuggets best interest, but if Denver can slow the game down and attack with different personnel then they are legit underdogs in this best-of- seven series. And for a team with championship pedigree, they know the opportunity Game 4 brings.
OKC
DEN