Thunder vs. Nuggets Pick
The Denver Nuggets are in a must-win situation when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder today at 5PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Denver is favored at home, as the Nuggets are getting odds of -4.5 points against the Thunder. The over/under total for the game is listed at 229 points. OKC has won and covered the spread in both meetings with the Nuggets this season.
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Denver is coming off a 122-106 win over the Pelicans at home. The Nuggets have won three of their last four games to move to 38-41 on the season. They sit 1.5 games behind the Blazers for the final spot in the West. Denver has covered the spread in four straight to move to 44-35 against the spread on the season. The Nuggets average 111.8 points per game on offense while allowing 111.6 on defense this season. Over their last five, Denver puts up 118 on offense while allowing 116.4 on defense. Danilo Gallinari is leading the team with 17.9 points per game while Nikola Jokic adds 16.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
The Thunder are coming off a bad 120-99 loss at Phoenix on Friday to drop to 45-34 on the season. They are locked into the sixth seed in the West and have nothing to play for right now. They also are 43-35-1 against the spread on the season. The Thunder average 106.7 points per game on offense this season while allowing 105.9 on defense. Over their last five games, OKC is averaging 101.6 on offense while allowing 102.4 on defense. Russell Westbrook has assured himself of averaging a triple-double for the season as he puts up 31.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per contest.
The Thunder truly have nothing to play for as Westbrook has his landmark season. He could use one more triple-double to set the record for a season, but the Thunder can’t risk him or any key players just before the playoffs. OKC will have its foot off the gas pedal and the Nuggets will be giving their all to grab a win. Denver should be able to handle business at home.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: DENVER NUGGETS -4.5
