The Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder collide in a dramatic Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals at the Paycom Center on Sunday night. Here’s a Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Nuggets Pick.
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.