- Get expert betting predictions and analysis for Nuggets vs. Thunder.
- Oklahoma City is -800 to win this Round 2 matchup.
- The Thunder are 9.5-point favorites for Monday’s Game 1.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will have a huge rest advantage when they host the Denver Nuggets for Game 1 of their Round 2 series at 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday at Paycom Center on TNT.
Oklahoma City hasn’t played since April 26, when they finished off a four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies. On the other hand, Denver completed its seven-game series with the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
In addition, this Round 2 matchup will pit the top two MVP candidates against each other. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to win this year’s award over Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who has claimed the trophy three times.
Here’s a look at the latest NBA odds for the Nuggets vs. Thunder and my prediction ahead of Monday’s Game 1:
Nuggets vs. Thunder Odds: Game 1
- Nuggets spread: +9.5
- Thunder spread: -9.5
- Total: 223.5
Nuggets vs. Thunder Round 2 Odds
According to the latest NBA betting lines, the Thunder are -800 to win Round 2, with an implied probability of 88.89%. The Nuggets are +550, with an implied probability of 15.38%.
Nuggets series price: +550
Thunder series price: -800
Nuggets vs. Thunder Prediction: Game 1 Best Bet
Based on the updated NBA betting lines, I‘m taking under 107.5 points (-110) for the Nuggets in Game 1 of this Round 2 series against the Thunder.
Obviously, this is a tough travel spot for the visitors. Not only did the Nuggets have one day off following Saturday’s convincing win in Game 7, but this past week has featured plenty of travel:
- Game 5 in Denver on April 29
- Game 6 in Los Angeles on May 1
- Game 7 in Denver on May 3
- Game 1 in Oklahoma City on May 5
The market expects the Nuggets to be gassed in the opener, which is why they are 9.5-point underdogs. I’d rather bet on Oklahoma City’s defense than touch the lofty spread.
The Thunder ranked No. 1 in defensive rating this season, posting a 19-0 record when they held their opponents below 100 points and 50-1 when holding them under 110. Denver is 1-16 when it fails to score 110 points.
In the alternate totals market, it costs -150 to bet under 109.5 points for the Nuggets. I’d rather play their team total a couple of points below that mark, as I project them to struggle to score in Game 1.
Game 1 prediction: Nuggets under 107.5 points (-110)
Nuggets vs. Thunder Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Monday, May 5 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, May 7 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 3 | Friday, May 9 | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 4 | Sunday, May 11 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 5 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
When Was the Last Time the Nuggets Reached the Conference Finals?
The Nuggets were in the conference finals as recently as 2023 when they won the NBA championship.
When Was the Last Time the Thunder Reached the Conference Finals?
The Thunder haven’t reached the conference finals since 2016, when they lost a seven-game thriller to the Golden State Warriors.
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