Before we dive into the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tomorrow night’s Timberwolves vs. Thunder matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Jalen Williams, Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder $9,400

In the 81 games that Williams has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA season (including playoffs), Williams is averaging 21.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 81 games that Jalen Williams has played for the Thunder this season, Williams has averaged 40.3 Draftkings points a game.

It is noteworthy that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Jalen Williams perform in the most recent matchup? In the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 114-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves two days ago, Thunder forward Jalen Williams played rather well. More specifically, Williams compiled 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals in the Thunder’s victory over the Timberwolves.

In summary, I think Jalen Williams reasonable Draftkings price of $9,400 presents outstanding value. For that specific reason, I am backing Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA single game contest.

Flex Plays

Anthony Edwards, Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves $11,800

Guard Anthony Edwards has been the driving force behind the Minnesota Timberwolves success on the basketball court this season. Let’s examine Edwards game data from the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games) to better shed light on my previous statement.

In the 89 games that guard Anthony Edwards has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA season, Edwards is averaging 27.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 89 games that Anthony Edwards played for the Timberwolves this season, Edwards compiled a 44.7% field goal percentage, a 39.5% three-point percentage, and an 83.7% free throw percentage.

More recently, in the Timberwolves 121-110 defeat of the Golden State Warriors one week ago, Anthony Edwards amassed 57.3 Draftkings points.

In conclusion, I fully expect Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards to continue his outstanding play in tomorrow evening’s matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in tomorrow night’s Western Conference playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard (Oklahoma City Thunder) $12,400: Mike Conley, Guard (Minnesota Timberwolves) $4,800: Naz Reid, Forward (Minnesota Timberwolves) $6,200.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA DFS Picks: Timberwolves vs. Thunder 5/22/25" at Sports Chat Place

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this series with all the momentum in the world after running past the Warriors in five games. But they find themselves in a real battle after getting trounced by the Thunder in a 114-88 road defeat on Tuesday in Game 2. 1. Julius Randle led the team with 28 points, eight rebounds and one assists while Anthony Edwards added 18 points with nine rebounds and three assists, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring.

As a team, the Timberwolves shot just 34 percent from the field and 15 of 51 from the 3-point line as they fought hard to take the narrow lead into halftime. But that all changed in the second half, where they managed just 40 points to get blown out in the end. Mike Conley had a rough game as he shot just two of eight for his seven points, while Naz Reid shot just one of 11 for his four points off the bench. But the biggest story of the night was Edwards, who looked hampered after taking a tumble in the first half.

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t have too much time to rest before this series after taking down the Nuggets, but they are now in prime position after taking care of business in Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 31 points, nine assists and three steals, Jalen Williams added 19 points with eight rebounds, five assists and five steals while Chet Holmgren chipped in with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

As a team, the Thunder shot 50 percent from the field and 11 of 21 from the 3-point line as they played well to trail by just four points at halftime despite a terrible start. Before they caught fire with 70 points in the second half to make it look easy in the end. The Thunder were terrific on the defensive end as they held the Timberwolves to just 34 percent shooting from the field, and they did a particularly good job on Edwards, who was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won 11 of their last 12 night games at Paycom Center.
• The Timberwolves have lost six of their last seven Western Conference Finals games.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six home games following a home win.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six Western Conference Finals games.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Timberwolves have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Thunder following a loss.
• The Thunder have lost five of their last seven playoff games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against the Thunder following a loss.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games following a win.

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.

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts

• Rudy Gobert ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (66.9%) this season.
• Anthony Edwards ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.1) this season.

Thunder vs Timberwolves Prediction

The Timberwolves will be so disappointed that they are behind in the series, as they really let a good opportunity slip on Tuesday. The Timberwolves should’ve done better to capitalize on the Thunder’s poor shooting start to the game, but instead, it was the Thunder who were growing in confidence as they trailed by just four points at halftime.

There was real concern for a while in the Timberwolves’ camp as Edwards spent plenty of time in the locker room during the game, but played through a niggle and put together his worst quarter during these playoffs. The Thunder were already brimming with confidence coming into this series, but they will know that a minor slip up in Game 2 could see them surrender home-court advantage. The line seems a bit hefty, but the Thunder showed they can really silence the Timberwolves if they can keep a lid on Edwards, and I think we will see more of the same in this contest.

Read the rest of "Thunder vs Timberwolves Prediction 5/22/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Warriors in five games and are in the conference finals for a second straight season. The Timberwolves will play for the first time in six days and have won seven of their last eight games. The Timberwolves have won three straight road games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 108.2 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 101.1 points on 43.3 percent shooting. Anthony Edwards is averaging 26.5 points and 8 rebounds, while Julius Randle is averaging 23.9 points and 5.9 assists. Jaden McDaniels is the third double-digit scorer, and Naz Reid is grabbing 3.6 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves are shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc and 77.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing 34.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Nuggets in seven games, and they’re in the conference finals for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The Thunder are 5-1 at home in these playoffs. The Thunder will play their fourth game in the last week.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 117.1 points on 45.4 percent shooting and allowing 104.2 points on 41.6 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29 points and 6.4 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 19.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Isaiah Hartenstein is grabbing 8.7 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 31.9 percent from beyond the arc and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 34.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.2 rebounds per game.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last seven home games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Timberwolves have lost each of their five previous Western Conference Finals games following a win.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last five home games following a home win.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games when playing with a rest advantage.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Timberwolves have won seven of their last eight playoff games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
• The Thunder have lost five of their last six playoff games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in 16 of their last 17 games as underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games following a win.

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.

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts

• Rudy Gobert ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (66.9%) this season.
• Anthony Edwards ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.1) this season.

Thunder vs Timberwolves Injury Report

The Thunder will be without Nikola Topic.

The Timberwolves don’t have any players listed on their injury report.

Thunder vs Timberwolves Prediction

As I’ve said before, the Thunder are going to be favored in nearly every game, and they’re the safest bet in sports, where they’re 59-31-4 ATS on the season. With a 40-7 SU record at home, the Thunder should be favored. However, this line is disrespectful. The Timberwolves are a good team that has the rest advantage and has the experience of being in the conference finals last year.

It seems like everybody thinks the Thunder will have their way in this series, and I don’t get it. The Nuggets, who had like three and a half reliable / heathy players, just took the Thunder to seven games. The Timberwolves are healthy, deeper and can play a variety of ways with their size. It feels like nobody is taking the Timberwolves or that they’re fluky, and I just don’t get it. Since February, the Timberwolves are 5-2 SU as an underdog. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Timberwolves won this series, so getting points with them is the side I’m going to be on.

Read the rest of "Thunder vs Timberwolves Prediction 5/20/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tomorrow night’s Timberwolves vs. Thunder matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder $12,000

Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a standout performer for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. With that said, how has Gilgeous-Alexander performed from a statistical standpoint? Let’s review the veteran point guard’s relevant player data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 85 games that point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 85 games that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played for the Thunder this season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 53.3 Draftkings points a contest.

These two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander perform in the most recent matchup? Who prevailed? In the Minnesota Timberwolves thrilling 131-128 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in February, Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played exceptionally well. More specifically, Gilgeous-Alexander amassed a massive 37 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocks in the Timberwolves victory over the Thunder.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In summary, I think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NBA playoff game. For that specific reason, I am backing Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA single game contest.

Flex Plays

Anthony Edwards, Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves $11,600

Guard Anthony Edwards has been the driving force behind the Minnesota Timberwolves success of the basketball court this season. Let’s examine Edwards game data from the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games) to better shed light on my previous statement.

In the 89 games that guard Anthony Edwards has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA season, Edwards is averaging 27.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this NBA playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Jalen Williams, Forward (Oklahoma City Thunder) $9,400: Mike Conley, Guard (Minnesota Timberwolves) $5,400: Naz Reid, Forward (Minnesota Timberwolves) $6,400.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA DFS Picks: Timberwolves vs. Thunder 5/20/25" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tomorrow’s Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Nikola Jokic, Center, Denver Nuggets $13,800

Talented center Nikola Jokic has been the driving force behind the Denver Nuggets success on the basketball court this season. Let’s examine Jokic’s player data from the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games) to better shed light on my previous statement.

In the 83 games that center Nikola Jokic has played for the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA season Jokic is averaging 29.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the 83 games that Nikola Jokic has played for the Nuggets this season, Jokic is averaging a rather impressive 67.1 Draftkings points a contest.

More recently, in the Denver Nuggets 119-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves two days ago, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic amassed a whopping 66 Draftkings points.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NBA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In summary, I think Nikola Jokic is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NBA playoff game. For that specific reason, I am backing Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA single game contest.

Flex Plays

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder $12,200

Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a standout performer for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. With that said, how has Gilgeous-Alexander performed from a statistical standpoint? Let’s review the veteran point guard’s relevant player data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 84 games that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.

In conclusion, I fully expect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to continue his outstanding play in tomorrow’s playoff matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this Western Conference playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Jalen Williams, Forward (Oklahoma City Thunder) $9,600: Jamal Murray, Point Guard (Denver Nuggets) $9,200: Christian Braun, Guard (Denver Nuggets) $7,000.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Nuggets vs. Thunder 5/18/25" at Sports Chat Place

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

The Denver Nuggets needed to respond after falling behind 3-2 in the series, and they did just that with a gritty 119-107 win in Game 6 on Thursday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 29 points with 14 rebounds and eight assists. Jamal Murray added 25 points with eight rebounds and seven assists, Christian Braun scored 23 points with 11 rebounds and five assists, while Julian Strawther chipped in with 15 points off the bench.

As a team, the Nuggets shot 46 percent from the field and 12 of 32 from the 3-point line as they battled hard with the Thunder in a tightly contested game. Until the third quarter where they went on a pivotal 10-0 run fuelled by Strawther to pull away and force a dramatic Game 5. 7. Jamal Murray had to battle through illness in this game, but the Nuggets are about to be further tested with Aaron Gordon seemingly tweaking his hamstring late in Game 6.

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder are battling for their lives for the first time in these playoffs as they are now facing a series decider after getting routed in Game 6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 32 points and six assists, Chet Holmgren added 19 points with 11 rebounds while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 10 points.

As a team, the Thunder shot 46 percent from the field and just 11 of 40 from the 3-point line as they poured in 33 points in the second quarter to take the narrow lead into halftime. Only to get outscored by 61-46 in the second half. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 11 of 16 from the field in this game, but had needed more help from Jalen Williams, who finished with just six points on three of 16 shooting from the field.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last nine games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
• The Nuggets have lost seven of their last eight games after winning as underdogs.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games after winning as underdogs.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in five of their last six home games following a loss.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Nuggets have won 13 of their last 20 games as underdogs against the Thunder.
• The Thunder have lost four of their last five playoff games when facing elimination.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in eight of the Thunder’s last nine Western Conference Semifinals games.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.

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 are coming in with the same squad as it’s safe to assume that both Murray and Gordon will be playing even if they were sick or injured, while the Thunder will be fully healthy once again. The Nuggets were able to put it all together in a much-needed win on Thursday, but now the series shifts back to the Paycom Center, where the Thunder have only dropped one game during these playoffs. B

oth teams have an extra days’ rest, which is particularly helpful for the Nuggets, who are playing their second straight seven-game series, while the Thunder swept past the Grizzlies in the first round. The Nuggets were able to get a real spark off the bench thanks to Strawther in Game 6, but they are going to need everyone to step up on the road in this one. Interestingly, the NBA has yet to officially crown this year’s NBA MVP, so this game could be the decider of who gets the award between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic. The Nuggets have been more tested, and I think they can at least battle to the end to keep the final margin within single digits.

Read the rest of "Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction 5/18/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are now just one win away from moving onto the second round after outlasting the Nuggets in a pivotal 112-105 home win in Game 5 on Tuesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 31 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Jalen Williams added 18 points with nine rebounds and four assists, Isaiah Hartenstein scored 15 points while Chet Holmgren chipped in with 14 points.

As a team, the Thunder shot 50 percent from the field and 12 of 29 from the 3-point line as they battled with the Nuggets early on. They looked to be in trouble when they trailed by 12 points in the third quarter, before they clamped down defensively and dominated the fourth quarter by 34-19 to earn the crucial win in front of their home fans.

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets are now battling to stave off elimination after getting stopped in their tracks by the Thunder in a tough loss in Game 5. Nikola Jokic led the team with a game-high 44 points with 15 rebounds and five assists on 17 of 25 shooting, Jamal Murray added 28 points while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 13 points, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring.

As a team, the Nuggets shot just 41 percent from the field and 13 of 46 from the 3-point line as they leaned heavily on the hot hand of Jokic to carry them throughout three quarters. Before they got blown out in the fourth quarter to fall just short in the end. Christian Braun had a rough game as he shot just three of 12 for his eight points, Russell Westbrook scored just four points on one of seven shooting while Michael Porter Jr scored just two points on one of seven shooting.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Nuggets have won each of their last five games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Thunder have lost 16 of their last 17 playoff road games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Thunder’s last 11 games at Ball Arena.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won 17 of their last 19 road games.
• The Nuggets have lost three of their last four games.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in eight of their last 10 night games at Ball Arena.

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.

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.

Nuggets vs Thunder Prediction

The Thunder needed to respond after dropping Game 4, and they are now in the driver seat after taking care of business in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. The Nuggets weren’t able to pull off the upset on Tuesday despite a big game from Jokic, but you would expect a better performance from the role players now that the series has shifted back to the Ball Arena.

The Thunder hold the momentum in the series, and I’m not surprised that they’ve opened as favorites on the road, but the Nuggets were good enough to outlast the Clippers in seven games in the first round. Something tells me that we’re about to see them in another series decider. The Thunder are more than capable of finishing the job with a big win here, but the Nuggets have their backs against the wall. I think they get a crucial win here if Jokic can get more support in this one.

Read the rest of "Nuggets vs Thunder Prediction 5/15/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

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.

Read the rest of "Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction 5/13/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder need a win to even up the series at 2-2. The Thunder have lost three road games since February 2. The Thunder have won five of their last eight road playoff games. The Thunder have lost two straight games just once since November 20.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 121.7 points on 45.4 percent shooting and allowing 106 points on 42 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 28 points and 6.7 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 22.6 points and 5 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Isaiah Hartenstein is grabbing 8.9 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 32.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 33.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.6 rebounds per game.

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

The Denver Nuggets look for a win to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Nuggets have won 15 of their last 20 home playoff games. The Nuggets have won two straight games just once so far these playoffs.

The Denver Nuggets are averaging 109.4 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 113 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 24.7 points and 12.7 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 22.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. Aaron Gordon is the third double-digit scorer, and Russell Westbrook is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 74.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.3 rebounds per game.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Thunder’s last six games at Ball Arena.
• The Thunder have lost each of their last eight playoff road games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Thunder’s last 10 games at Ball Arena.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against the Nuggets after losing as favorites.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last eight games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
• The Nuggets have lost each of their last four games after coming off overtime.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six games at Ball Arena following a loss.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games after coming off overtime.

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.

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.

Nuggets vs Thunder Injury Report

The Thunder will be without Nikola Topic.

The Nuggets will be without DaRon Holmes II.

Nuggets vs Thunder Prediction

It’s easy to side with the Thunder, as they’ve lost two straight games once since November, and they’re 58-28-4 ATS on the season. The Thunder are the safest bet in all of sports these days. However, the Nuggets are a tough out at home, and they just won game 3 despite getting a poor effort from Jokic.

The Nuggets won a game despite Jokic shooting 8-25 from the field and turning the ball over eight times. That’s a positive sign moving forward, as he’s probably not going to play that bad again the rest of the series. The Nuggets have now won four of the last six games against OKC, and the underdog as covered eight of the last 10 games overall. I believe the Nuggets have a fair chance to win this game outright at home. Give me the points.

Read the rest of "Nuggets vs Thunder Prediction 5/11/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this tomorrow night’s Thunder vs. Nuggets matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder $12,000

Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has certainly established himself as one of the best point guards in the National Basketball Association today. With that said, how has Gilgeous-Alexander performed from a statistical perspective this season? Let’s examine the veteran point guard’s relevant player data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 81 games that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 81 games that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played for the Thunder this season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a massive 53.5 Draftkings points a game.

It should be noted that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Gilgeous-Alexander perform in the most recent matchup? Who won? In the Denver Nuggets 113-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night, Timberwolves point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played exceptionally well. More specifically, Gilgeous-Alexander amassed 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in the Denver Nuggets defeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In my view, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the player most likely to amass the highest number of DraftKings points in tomorrow evening’s Western Conference playoff game. Having stated that, I am backing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the captain for this single game DraftKings NBA Showdown contest slate.

Flex Plays

Nikola Jokic, Center, Denver Nuggets $13,000

Denver center Nikola Jokic has been the driving force behind the Denver Nuggets success on the basketball court this season. Let’s examine the Jokic’s player data from the 2024 NBA season to better shed light on my previous statement.

In the 80 games that center Nikola Jokic has played for the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff gamess), Jokic is averaging a massive 29.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

In conclusion, I fully expect Nikola Jokic to continue his outstanding play in tomorrow’s playoff game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this Western Conference playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Jalen Williams, Forward (Oklahoma City Thunder) $9,600: Jamal Murray, Point Guard (Denver Nuggets) $9,200: Christian Braun, Guard (Denver Nuggets) $7,000.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Thunder vs. Nuggets 5/11/25" at Sports Chat Place

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder needed to respond after dropping the series opener, and they did just that as they smashed the Nuggets by 149-106 in Game 2 on Wednesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 34 points and eight assists, Jalen Williams added 17 points with seven assists, Chet Holmgren scored 15 points with 11 rebounds and two blocks while Isaiah Hartenstein and Isaiah Joe scored 14 points each.

As a team, the Thunder shot 56 percent from the field and 16 of 36 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 87 points in the first half. They outscored the Nuggets by 37-20 in the third quarter to lead by as many as 49 points at one stage. Gilgeous-Alexander barely missed all night as he shot 11 of 13 from the field, but it was a real team effort as the Thunder had a total of eight players finishing in double figures in scoring.

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets must have been brimming with confidence following their win in the series opener, but they are now looking to respond after getting manhandled by the Thunder in an ugly defeat in Game 2. Russell Westbrook led the team in scoring with 19 points and five assists off the bench, Nikola Jokic added 17 points with eight rebounds and six assists, Jamal Murray scored 14 points while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 10 points.

As a team, the Nuggets shot just 37 percent from the field and 15 of 37 from the 3-point line as they got off to a nightmare start and were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored by 45-21 in the first quarter. Michael Porter Jr had a rough game as he shot just two of 10 from the field for his eight points, while Christian Braun shot just one of six for his three points.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Nuggets have won seven of their last eight games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
• The Thunder have lost 15 of their last 16 playoff road games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Thunder’s last nine games at Ball Arena.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won 16 of their last 17 road games.
• The Nuggets have lost Game 3 in 10 of their last 12 playoff series’ when tied 1-1.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in six of their last seven road games against Nuggets teams that held a winning record.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five Western Conference Semifinals home games against Northwest Division opponents.

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.

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.

Nuggets vs Thunder Prediction

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Golden State Warriors Betting Preview

The Golden State Warriors were able to scrape past the Rockets in a seven-game series in the first round. They are now in prime position in the second round after taking down the Timberwolves in a 99-88 road win in Game 1 on Tuesday. Buddy Hield led the team in scoring with 24 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Jimmy Butler III added 20 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists while Draymond Green tallied 18 points with eight rebounds and six assists.

As a team, the Warriors shot just 39 percent from the field and 18 of 42 from the 3-point line. However, this win was all about their defense, as they were always in full control after restricting the Timberwolves to just 11 points in the second quarter. Stephen Curry got off to a flyer as he scored 13 points in 13 minutes before he left the game with an apparent hamstring injury which will keep him sidelined for at least a week.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves were coming into this series with plenty of momentum after blowing past the Lakers in five games in the first round. They are now hoping to bounce back after getting silenced by the Warriors in Game 1 on Tuesday. Anthony Edwards led the team in scoring with 23 points, 14 rebounds and three steals, Naz Reid added 19 points on eight of 14 shooting off the bench while Julius Randle chipped in with 18 points and six assists.

As a team, the Timberwolves shot just 39 percent from the field and a miserly five of 29 from the 3-point line. They got off to a terrible start and trailed in this one by as many as 23 points before they finished with a bit of a flurry to keep the final margin respectable. Donte DiVincenzo finished with just seven points on three of 11 shooting, while Mike Conley finished scoreless on zero of five shooting.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Timberwolves have won each of their last seven playoff home games against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
• The Warriors have lost 12 of their last 13 games as road underdogs after winning as underdogs.
• The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight Western Conference Semifinals games following a win.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last four games following a loss.

Why the Golden State Warriors will win

• The Warriors have won 20 of their last 21 playoff games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Timberwolves have lost six of their last nine playoff games as home favorites.
• The Warriors have covered the spread in eight of their last nine road games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against the Warriors after losing as favorites.

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts

• Rudy Gobert ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (66.9%) this season.
• Anthony Edwards ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.1) this season.

Golden State Warriors Player Facts

• Draymond Green is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
• Jimmy Butler has recorded three career playoff triple-doubles.

Timberwolves vs Warriors Prediction

The Warriors are going to be shorthanded for this one with Stephen Curry already ruled out with a hamstring injury, while the Timberwolves are coming in with the same squad. The Warriors were able to easily handle the Timberwolves on the road in Game 1 despite losing Curry in the first half, so the pressure is certainly on the Timberwolves to respond and avoid falling into a 2-0 series deficit.

The Timberwolves have been struggling from behind the arc during these playoffs, and it was on full display in Game 1 as the Timberwolves’ starters combined to shoot just one of 13 from the 3-point line, while the Warriors’ starters made 15 of 37. The Timberwolves need to make a stand here, and I like their chances of bouncing back with a win, but even though the Warriors are shorthanded, this line still seems too hefty. I expect the Timberwolves to get the win at home, but I think the Warriors keep this close right till the end.

Read the rest of "Timberwolves vs Warriors Prediction 5/8/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Denver vs. Oklahoma City matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Nikola Jokic, Center, Denver Nuggets $13,000

Denver center Nikola Jokic has certainly established himself as one of the best players in the National Basketball Association today. Having stated that, how has Jokic performed from a statistical perspective this season? Let’s examine the veteran center’s relevant player data from the 2024 NBA season to answer that question.

In the 78 games that center Nikola Jokic has played for the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA season (including playoff gamess), Jokic is averaging a massive 29.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 78 games that Jokic has played this season, Jokic is averaging a massive 67.5 Draftkings points a game.

It is noteworthy that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Nikola Jokic perform in the most recent matchup? Who prevailed? In the Denver Nuggets thrilling 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder two days ago, Denver center Nikola Jokic played exceptionally well. Let me be more specific. Jokic amassed 42 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal in the Denver Nuggets defeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the Nuggets victory over the Thunder, Denver center Nikola Jokic tallied a whopping 83.1 Draftkings points. It has to be said, those are the type of DFS numbers that I need to see from a player that I select at the captain position.

In my opinion, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is the player most likely to accumulate the highest number of DraftKings points in this evening’s Western Conference playoff game. For that specific reason, I am backing Nikola Jokic as the captain for this single game DraftKings NBA Showdown contest slate.

Flex Plays

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Nuggets vs. Thunder 5/7/25" at Sports Chat Place

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

The Denver Nuggets were coming into this round fresh off a seven-game series win over the Clippers and are now sitting pretty in the second round after sneaking past the Thunder in a thrilling 121-119 comeback win in Game 1 on Monday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 42 points, 22 rebounds and six assists on 15 of 29 shooting, Aaron Gordon added 22 points with 14 rebounds, Jamal Murray scored 21 points while Russell Westbrook tallied 18 points off the bench.

As a team, the Nuggets shot 44 percent from the field and 10 of 32 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and trailed by as many as 14 points in the third quarter. Before they clicked into gear and poured in 36 points in the fourth quarter to snatch the game away in the final seconds thanks to Gordon, who drained the game-winner with just 2.8 seconds left on the clock.

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder must have been brimming with confidence after they swept the Grizzlies in the first round, but they suddenly have their backs against the wall after getting stunned by the Nuggets in Game 1 on Monday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists on 12 of 26 shooting. Alex Caruso provided a real spark off the bench with 20 points, six assists, and five steals. Jalen Williams scored 16 points with seven rebounds and four assists, while Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 12 points each.

As a team, the Thunder shot 42 percent from the field and 15 of 43 from the 3-point line as they poured in 60 points in the first half to lead by double digits for most of the contest. However, despite their best efforts on defense, they couldn’t hold off the Nuggets down the stretch. Holmgren played a solid game, but he missed two crucial free throws with 9.1 seconds left on the clock, leaving the door open for the Nuggets to steal the game at the end.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last seven games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
• The Nuggets have lost each of their last four road games after winning as underdogs.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in eight of their last nine night games at Paycom Center.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games after winning as underdogs.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Nuggets and Thunder.
• The Thunder have lost each of their last three Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against the Nuggets after losing as favorites.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Nuggets and Thunder.

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 were double-digit underdogs at the start of Game 1, but were able to pull off the big upset thanks to a monster game from Jokic and another game-winner from Gordon, who has now made two in these playoffs. The Thunder will be so disappointed with the result on Monday, as they played excellent defense almost the entire game, but they got outrebounded by 63-43. Holmgren just couldn’t make the final two free throws of the game with just 2.8 seconds remaining.

The pressure is now all on the Thunder to avoid falling into a 2-0 series deficit going on the road. The Nuggets are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games, while the Thunder are 0-3 ATS in their last three games. The Thunder are desperate to square up the series and I think they make the adjustments to grab the crucial victory, but I like the Nuggets to hang tough and make this interesting at the end.

Read the rest of "Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction 5/7/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Denver vs. Oklahoma City matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder $11,600

Veteran point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has quickly established himself as one of the best point guards in the National Basketball Association today. Let’s examine Gilgeous-Alexander’s relevant player data from the 2024 NBA season (including playoff games) to better illustrate his contributions to his team.

In the 79 games that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a rather impressive 32.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 79 games that point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has compiled a 51.9% field goal percentage, a 37.5% three-point percentage and an 89.8% free throw percentage.

It should also be noted that these two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Gilgeous-Alexander perform in the most recent matchup? In the Denver Nuggets 140-127 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in March, Oklahoma City point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander certainly played at a high level. Let me be more specific. Gilgeous-Alexander amassed 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in the Nuggets defeat of the Thunder.

What did we learn from the data just presented? Clearly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can post a high number of DFS points on any given night. I fully expect that trend to continue in this evening’s Western Conference playoff matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.

In my opinion, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NBA playoff game. For that specific reason, I am backing Oklahoma City point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Jalen Williams, Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder $9,400

In the 73 games that Williams has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA season (including playoffs), Williams is averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 73 games that Jalen Williams has played for the Thunder this season, Williams has averaged 40.4 Draftkings points a game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this Western Conference playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Nikola Jokic, Center (Denver Nuggets) $13,000: Jamal Murray, Point Guard (Denver Nuggets) $9,600: Russell Westbrook, Point Guard (Denver Nuggets) $5,400.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Nuggets vs. Thunder 5/5/25" at Sports Chat Place

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

The Denver Nuggets are coming into the second round with plenty of confidence after outlasting the Clippers in a thrilling seven-game series win in the first round. Nikola Jokic continued his stellar form into the playoffs with averages of 24.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game. Jamal Murray woke up from a shooting slump to average 22.9 points and 5.9 assists per game, Aaron Gordon averaged 18.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, including a game winner, while Russell Westbrook averaged 13.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. As a team, the Nuggets scored 107.7 points per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from the 3-point line.

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder must be brimming with confidence after making light work of the Grizzlies with a clean sweep in the first round. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his hot shooting as he averaged 27.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Jalen Williams averaged 23.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Chet Holmgren averaged 18.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, but no other player is averaging more than 10 points per game during these playoffs. As a team, the Thunder have scored 120.0 points per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from the 3-point line.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won 23 of their last 24 games at Paycom Center when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Nuggets have lost five of their last six road games following a win.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last eight night games at Paycom Center.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games following a home win.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Nuggets have won each of their last four games as road underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Thunder have lost four of their last five Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Nuggets have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against the Thunder following a win.

Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (32.7) this season.
• Jalen Williams ranks 7th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) 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 are coming into this series with a full squad, while the Thunder are still playing without Ousmane Dieng. The Nuggets were able to turn it on late in the first round to sneak past the Clippers in a series decider, but they are going to have to take things to another level against this red-hot Thunder team. They have been resting since their last game on April 1. 26.

These teams met four times in the regular season, with the series tied at 2-2, but the momentum is definitely with the Thunder, who were 35-6 at home during the regular season. The Nuggets only had one day off to travel after beating the Clippers in Game 7 on Saturday. So even if they get off to a quick start, I like the Thunder to wear them down and force enough turnovers to win comfortably at home. Give me the Thunder to draw first blood with a win and cover in Game 1.

Read the rest of "Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction 5/5/25 NBA Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks: Grizzlies vs. Thunder 4/26/25" at Sports Chat Place

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder can be the first team to advance to the second round with a sweep here. The Thunder have won 18 of their last 20 games overall and have lost one road game since February 21. The Thunder look to make the second round for the seventh time since the 2010-11 season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 121 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 95.7 points on 40.1 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 24.3 points and 6 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 23.3 points and 5.7 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Wiggins is grabbing 1.3 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 28 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 50.7 rebounds per game.

Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview

The Memphis Grizzlies need a win to save their season and force a game 5 on Monday. The Grizzlies are in danger of being bounced in the first round for the fifth time in their last six playoff appearances.

The Memphis Grizzlies are averaging 95.7 points on 40.1 percent shooting and allowing 121 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Ja Morant is averaging 18.3 points and 2 rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 17.3 points and 1.3 assists. Scotty Pippen Jr. is the third double-digit scorer, and Desmond Bane is grabbing 7.3 rebounds. The Memphis Grizzlies are shooting 28 percent from beyond the arc and 82.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Memphis Grizzlies are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win

• The home team has won seven of the Grizzlies’ last eight Western Conference First Round games.
• The Thunder have lost each of their last four games at FedExForum following a road win.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Grizzlies’ last eight playoff games.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games at FedExForum following a road win.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last 12 games against the Grizzlies.
• The Grizzlies have lost each of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last nine games following a road win.
• The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 home games against teams that held a winning record.

Memphis Grizzlies Player Facts

• Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
• Scotty Pippen Jr. ranks 6th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.2) this season.

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.

Grizzlies vs Thunder Injury Report

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without Brandon Clarke, Jaylen Wells, and Zyon Pullin. Ja Morant is doubtful with a hip injury, while Luke Kennard is questionable with Achilles soreness.

The Thunder will be without Ousmane Dieng and Nikola Topic.

Grizzlies vs Thunder Prediction

Another massive line for a playoff game, but there’s not much we can do. The Grizzlies got blown out in the first two games and then blew a 29-point lead in game 3. Morant is unlikely to play, and Kennard could be out as well. When it rains, it pours, folks.

The Thunder are also now 57-25-4 ATS on the season, which is easily the best cover team in the NBA. The Thunder have covered eight straight games as a double-digit favorite and 10 of their last 11 games as a double-digit favorite. I don’t have much confidence in the Grizzlies given their situation. Game three likely broke this team. Give me the Thunder in a route and a sweep.

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Before we dive into the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder matchup.

Draftkings NBA Showdown Picks

Captain-Jalen Williams, Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder $9,800

Veteran forward Jalen Williams has certainly been a key contributor for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. With that said, how has the talented forward performed from a statistical standpoint? Let’s examine Jalen Williams relevant game data from this season to answer that question.

In the 71 games that Williams has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA season (including playoffs), Williams is averaging 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 71 games that Jalen Williams has played for the Thunder this season, Williams has averaged 40.4 Draftkings points a game.

These two teams have met multiple times this season. How did Jalen Williams perform in the most recent matchup? In the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant 118-99 win over the Memphis Grizzlies two days ago, Thunder forward Jalen Williams played exceptionally well. Let me be more specific. Williams amassed 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal in the Thunder’s defeat of the Memphis Grizzlies.

In my view, Jalen Williams reasonable Draftkings price of $9,800 presents the best fantasy value on this slate. For that specific reason, I am backing Oklahoma City forward Jalen Williams at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NBA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder $12,000

In addition to forward Jalen Williams, point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been an essential part of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s starting lineup this season.

In the 78 games that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a rather impressive 32.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 78 games that point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has compiled a 51.9% field goal percentage, a 37.5% three-point percentage and an 89.8% free throw percentage.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in this Western Conference playoff game (Draftkings price noted): Ja Morant, Point Guard (Memphis Grizzlies) $9,600: Jaren Jackson Jr., Power Forward (Memphis Grizzlies) $8,400: Zach Edey, Center (Memphis Grizzlies) $7,000.

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Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder look for a quick 3-0 series lead to all but put this thing to bed. The Thunder have won 17 of their last 19 games overall and have lost one road game since February 21.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 124.5 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 89.5 points on 38.6 percent shooting. Jalen Williams is averaging 22 points and 5.5 assists, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 21 points and 5.5 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Wiggins is grabbing 2 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 87.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 24.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 54.5 rebounds per game.

Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview

The Memphis Grizzlies are down 0-2 in the series and have been outscored by 70 points in the first two losses. The Grizzlies have been held under 100 points three times since March 19.

The Memphis Grizzlies are averaging 89.5 points on 38.6 percent shooting and allowing 124.5 points on 46.8 percent shooting. Ja Morant is averaging 20 points and 2.5 rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 15 points and 1 assist. Desmond Bane is the third double-digit scorer, and Marvin Bagley III is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Memphis Grizzlies are shooting 24.6 percent from beyond the arc and 80.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Memphis Grizzlies are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win

• The home team has won each of the Grizzlies’ last seven Western Conference First Round games.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Grizzlies’ last seven playoff games.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six playoff games at FedExForum.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last 11 games against the Grizzlies.
• The Grizzlies have lost each of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 11 home games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against Grizzlies teams that held a winning record.

Memphis Grizzlies Player Facts

• Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
• Scotty Pippen Jr. ranks 6th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.2) this season.

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.

Grizzlies vs Thunder Injury Report

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without Brandon Clarke, Jaylen Wells, and Zyon Pullin.

The Thunder will be without Ousmane Dieng and Nikola Topic.

Grizzlies vs Thunder Prediction

The Grizzlies should have some sort of motivation coming back home and the crowd will try to help, but that only goes so far. The bottom line is the Grizzlies have been taken behind the woodshed in this series, and home court only does so much.

The Thunder are 11-0 SU and 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games against the Grizzlies. The Thunder are also 57-24-4 ATS on the season, making them one of the safest bets in all of sports. The Thunder have also covered eight straight games as a double-digit favorite. If there was going to be a game in this series where the Grizzlies bring their best effort, this would be it. Problem is, betting against OKC hasn’t worked all year and shouldn’t be considered now.

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