The Denver Nuggets will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday at the Paycom Center, looking to gain separation in the most competitive division in the NBA. Each team is 4-3 in the Northwest Division, which features five teams within 1.5 games of each other, and only the Minnesota Timberwolves are .500 at 4-4.
The Nuggets won the first meeting with the Jazz 122-117 but did not cover a nine-point spread on the home court. Going on the road, the Nuggets are 6.5-point favorites with an over/under of 229. The Denver moneyline is -250, while the Thunder moneyline is +210.
Nuggets continue roller coaster season
The Nuggets have split with the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers, beaten the Golden State Warriors, and lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They feature seven players averaging double figures in scoring, led by two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic: 21.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game.
Their fluid offense has been strong, ranking 13th in scoring 114.1 points per game and even better in efficiency. They are seventh, converting 47.7% of field goal attempts, and third at making 39.4% of 3-pointers.
Defensively, though, they are sixth worst in allowing 117 points per game and allowing opponents to convert 47.7% of field goals. They rank 23rd in allowing teams to shoot 36.6% on 3-pointers.
Thunder ride a four-game winning streak
The Thunder lost their first three games before rattling off four straight wins. They welcome the Nuggets into a venue where the Thunder are 3-1 straight up this season.
They’ve been better defensively, allowing 110.9 points per game to rank 11th. Opponents convert 46.1% of field goal attempts, which ranks 14th, and 32.4% of 3-point attempts, which ranks fifth.
Offensively there have been struggles, though, as they score 112.9 points per game, which ranks 20th. They are highly inefficient, with the fourth worst field goal conversion rate at 44.2% and second worst in 3-pointers at 29.5%.
Not having second-overall pick Chet Holmgren who suffered a season-ending injury before he could debut, certainly hurts. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.5 points, 6.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game to lead the way.
Nuggets vs. Thunder Pick and Prediction
It feels like the Nuggets not covering the first time was an anomaly, as they didn’t help themselves out. They turned the ball over 18 times and were just 18 for 31 (58%) from the free-throw line. They made it up by converting 20 of 38 (53%) 3-point attempts.
Denver is 4-3 against the spread this season, while the Thunder are 6-1. Both are 4-3 on over/unders.
The Nuggets are 0-5 against the spread in the last five NBA meetings but are 7-3 against the spread in the last 10 in Oklahoma City. The under is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
We’ll take Nuggets -6.5 and under 229.
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.