The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Denver Nuggets at the Paycom Center on Monday night. Here’s a Thunder vs. Nuggets prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Nuggets pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets have been struggling, as they’ve lost five of their last nine games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort after getting humbled by the Knicks in a 142-103 home defeat on Friday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 38 points, eight rebounds, and five assists on 14 of 21 shooting. Jamal Murray added 12 points, while Cameron Johnson chipped in with 10 points and five assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 45 percent from the field and eight of 40 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Knicks early on and allowed 38 points in the second quarter to fall into a double-digit deficit and things only got worse in the second half, where the Nuggets allowed 77 points to suffer arguably their worst defeat of the season. Jamal Murray played just 18 minutes as he sprained his ankle, while Aaron Gordon scored just three points on one of seven shots.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a tear as they’ve reeled off 10 wins from their past 12 games and they will be aiming for a sixth straight victory after outlasting the Warriors in a 104-97 home win on Saturday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 27 points, five rebounds, and five assists; Isaiah Joe added 18 points, while Kenrich Williams chipped in with 13 points off the bench, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Thunder shot 42 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running with 67 points in the first half to open up a 14-point lead, which proved to be crucial as their lead got cut to just two points in the fourth quarter before they closed the final 42.8 seconds on a 5-0 run to seal the game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 11 home games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last four games at Paycom Center.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in five of their last six home games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight road games against Northwest Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Thunder have lost three of their last five games as favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Thunder’s last eight games.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last 11 road games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Thunder’s last four games has gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Cason Wallace ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.1) this season.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per 36 minutes (34.1) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.3) this season.
- Jonas Valanciunas ranks 9th amongst qualified players for rebounds per 36 minutes (13.1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.0).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (43.5%).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (120.2).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.9).
Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets have ruled out Peyton Watson and they are keeping an eye on Jamal Murray, who is questionable with an ankle sprain, while the Thunder have ruled out Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams, with Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso both listed as questionable. These teams have already clashed twice this season, with the Thunder winning both games but it has been a close series so far. The Nuggets were finally able to get some players back in the lineup, but now they are sweating on the availability of Murray, who would be crucial in this matchup. The Thunder are still dealing with a bunch of injuries of their own, but they’ve clearly been the hotter team and I think they stay hot with another win and cover in this spot.