OKC Thunder versus Denver Nuggets – Preview highlights adaptability

Odds predictions:

With so many injuries to the Nuggets, the Thunder gets the nod from the oddsmakers as the 4.5 point favorite. The over/under is 216.5 and the best money line odds are +167 for Denver and -186 for the Thunder.

Here’s the thing, I think the Thunder will win but after Nuggets coach Malone called out his team for lackluster effort in the blowout loss to the Heat they aren’t likely to replicate that non-effort.

Additionally, factoring in this match has more at stack with the tiebreak up in the air the Nuggets will likely play more inspired.

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

I’m antsy to say take the Thunder with the 4.5 points but I do think the under is a good call. Recalling the two games this season neither surpassed the 216 cumulative total (213 and 214 were the point totals).

With the limping Nuggets and knowing the Thunder will be focused on being strong defensively – I’d say the under is the safest bet.

Game Specifics

Nuggets Record/Seed: 43-23 – third seed in West

Thunder Record/Seed: 41-24, sixth seed in West (a win today would vault them into 4th)

The Venue:  Walt Disney World Resort. ESPN Complex- The Arena

Tipoff: 4:00 PM ET  | 3:00 PM CT

TV: NBA TV

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

History:

The teams have played each other 45 times in the regular season ahead of this match with the Denver Nuggets holding a slim 23-22 advantage. This season the teams have each won once with the Nuggets winning 110-102 on December 14th while the Thunder took the last meeting on February 1st relatively easily: 113 – 101.

Enjoy the game and check back after for player grades and takeaways.