Thunder vs Nuggets NBA Betting Odds & Game Preview

Two of the top teams in the NBA’s Western Conference square off on Friday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-9) visit the Denver Nuggets (18-9). The Thunder enter as slight favorites despite losing two of three, including a two-point setback in Chicago last Friday and a four-point loss in New Orleans on Wednesday. Denver has also struggled lately, losing two of three, falling in Charlotte last Friday and in Atlanta the next night. They did return home to beat Memphis on Monday and have had a long rest since then as they prepare to welcome the Thunder. Which team will win tonight? Check out our NBA betting preview to get our take on the game.

Thunder vs Nuggets NBA Betting Odds & Game Preview

Friday Night Lights. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/ttQ0TVYD6S

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 14, 2018

When: Friday, December 14, 2018, 10:00pm ET Where: Pepsi Center, Denver TV: ESPN Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM Oklahoma City / Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM Denver Live Stream: WatchESPN NFL Week 15 Odds: Oklahoma City -2, O/U 216.5

Why should you bet on the Thunder?

Despite their recent struggles, Oklahoma City has still won seven of 10 thanks to the emergence of Paul George. The Thunder score almost 112 points per game, led by George’s 24.3 points per night, along with 7.9 boards. Russell Westbrook is averaging 22 points and 10 helpers per game, and Dennis Schroder has come on nicely to average double figures in points as well. One disadvantage for Oklahoma City is the fact that they are playing on just one day’s rest and that they are heading into the high altitude of Denver, while the Nuggets have been resting there since Monday. Oklahoma City has covered just once in their last five games on just a day’s rest, and heading to Denver makes that even dicier. The Thunder have also failed to cover the spread in six straight games against the Nuggets. However, if you like Oklahoma City to win and cover here, you think that the combo of Westbrook and George can shake off the travel woes and the altitude and outscore a dynamic Denver offense, and the interior  game of Steven Adams will be enough to keep the Nuggets from piling up the second-chance points.

Why should you put your money on the Nuggets?

Denver still enters having won eight of 10 despite losing two of three. They also have a high-scoring offense, averaging 110 points per night, led by Jamal Murray’s 17.4 points per contest. Nikola Jokic is right behind him, averaging 17.1 points per game and pulling down 9.8 boards a night. Gary Harris also averages double figures in points. Denver also outshoots Oklahoma City from the free-throw line by almost 4 percent, which can make a difference in crunch time, especially with the Thunder more prone to altitude fatigue. Denver has covered in four straight home games and in eight of ten overall, and they have won straight up in five of their last six games against the Thunder. They most recently met in November down in Oklahoma City, with the Nuggets entering as six-point dogs but emerging with a seven-point victory. They win at home by an average of 12.4 points per game, so this line is a bit of a mystery to me.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Oklahoma City has emerged as a real contender in the West this season thanks to some dropoff among other teams but also from the strong season that George has put up next to Westbrook. However, the altitude factor is a very real one, and given the difference in rest that the Nuggets have coming in (and the absence of major injuries) it’s hard to see Oklahoma City winning this one, let alone covering that one-bucket spread. I predict a final score of Denver 114, Oklahoma City 101.