Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets will be hoping to bounce back in this one after falling just short to the Thunder in a tough 92-87 home defeat in Game 4 on Sunday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 27 points, 13 rebounds and four steals, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun scored 17 points each while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 15 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.
As a team, the Nuggets shot a miserly 31 percent from the field and 11 of 45 from the 3-point line as they got off to a nightmare start and managed just eight points in the first quarter. But they worked their way into the contest and looked to be in control in the third quarter, before they went cold again and allowed the Thunder off the hook. Jokic had a rough shooting night as he shot just seven of 22 from the field. Russell Westbrook shot just two of 12 from the field for his six points, while Michael Porter Jr finished with just three points on one of seven shooting.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder were feeling the pressure after falling behind in the series, but they were able to square things up with a gritty win in Game 4 on Sunday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in scoring with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists on eight of 19 shooting, Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace each scored 11 points while Jalen Williams chipped in with 10 points.
As a team, the Thunder shot just 35 percent from the field and 10 of 41 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with their defense by limiting the Nuggets to just eight points in the first quarter. However, they didn’t really gain control until the fourth quarter, where they finished with a flurry to lead by as many as 15 points. Luguentz Dort had a rough game as he shot just two of 10 for his six points, while Jalen Williams shot just two of 13 for his 10 points.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won 13 of their last 14 games following a road win.
- The Nuggets have lost four of their five previous playoff games at Paycom Center.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 night games at Paycom Center.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five night games following a home loss.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Thunder have lost each of their last four playoff games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Nuggets have won each of their last six Game 5s of a playoff series.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last four games at Paycom Center following a loss.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (32.7) this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.8) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic is the only qualified player in the league averaging at least 25.0 points, 10.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds this season.
- Christian Braun ranks 1st in the league for fast break points (403) this season.
Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets missed a great opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead after coming up just short in Game 4 on Sunday. However, with the series now tied at 2-2, we are down to the best of three series, with two of those games scheduled at the Paycom Center.
The Thunder struggled their way through one of their worst shooting performances of the season, but they were still good enough to take care of business thanks to their elite defense in the first and fourth quarters. The Thunder are expectedly heavy favorites at home in this crucial game, but the line just seems too hefty for a veteran Nuggets team. Sure, the Nuggets are on the road, but they were good enough to surprise the Thunder in their own building in Game 1 and I think they can keep this one within single digits when it’s all said and done.