The Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder collide at the Paycom Center on Friday night. Here’s a Thunder vs. Nuggets prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Nuggets pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets are slowly heating up again as they’ve won four of their last seven games overall and they must be feeling confident after smashing the red-hot Celtics in a 103-84 home win on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists on 11 of 28 shooting, while Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 points off the bench and Cameron Johnson chipped in with 11 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot just 42 percent from the field and 15 of 43 from the 3-point line but this win was all about their defense as they struggled to get going and trailed at halftime before they restricted the Celtics to just 36 points in the entire second half to secure the statement win in front of their home fans.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in great form as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall, but they will be eager to bounce back after having their three-game win streak halted by the Pistons in a 124-116 road defeat on Wednesday. Jaylin Williams led the team with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists on nine of 14 shooting; Cason Wallace added 23 points while Aaron Wiggins and Jared McCain each scored 20 points. As a team, the Thunder shot just 41 percent from the field and 18 of 49 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start with 34 points in the first quarter to take an early 12-point lead, but it was short-lived as they were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored 36-18 in the second quarter. The Thunder went on a late rally to make it interesting at the end, but they were always outsiders after falling behind by as many as 17 points.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 13 games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Nuggets have lost seven of their last eight games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six night games against the Nuggets following a road loss.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games following a win.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won four of their last five games as road underdogs following a win.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last three games as home favorites following a road loss.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as road underdogs.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last nine road games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Thunder’s last six games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Cason Wallace ranks T1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.1) this season.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per 36 minutes (34.4) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.4) this season.
- Cameron Johnson ranks 17th amongst qualified players for 3P% (42.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.4).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (43.7%).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (120.5).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.2).
Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets are still shorthanded with Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson out, and they are keeping an eye on Jalen Pickett, Jamal Murray, Julian Strawther, and Spencer Jones, who are all questionable, while the Thunder have ruled out Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams, but the big news is that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been cleared to return after missing nine games with an abdominal strain. These two teams have already met once this season, with the Thunder winning by 121-111 back on Feb 1 and I can’t picture anything but a similar result in this one if the Nuggets are without Jamal Murray in this one. This is definitely a game where you should check the lineups before tipoff, but as it stands, I prefer a play on the Thunder to get the win and cover at home in this one.