Thunder vs Nuggets NBA Odds, Preview & Prediction

Thunder vs Nuggets NBA Odds, Preview & Prediction – Dec 14th

Written by on December 14, 2018

Prior to the start of the NBA season, we all took a moment to predict how things might play out in both conferences. The Eastern Conference looked to be the more open of the two, with the Celtics, Raptors and 76ers the likely candidates to get the job done. Over in the West, the belief was that we would be looking at a 2-horse race between the Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. It seems as though we were all wrong on both counts.

The Toronto Raptors have opened up a good lead in the East, while the West is tight from top to bottom, with the Houston Rockets way down in the standings. The tight race in the West may get a little tighter on Friday night, with the #1 Nuggets going against the #3 Thunder with just a half-game separating these two teams. By the time Friday night comes to a close, the Thunder could be sitting on top of the Western Conference. They go into Denver as a 1 ½ point favorite, with the point total for this one set at 219.

Thunder vs Nuggets NBA Odds, Preview & Prediction

Team Records

  • All: Oklahoma City Thunder 17-9 / Denver Nuggets 18-9
  • Home: Oklahoma City Thunder 10-3 / Denver Nuggets 10-3
  • Away: Oklahoma City Thunder 7-6 / Denver Nuggets 8-6
  • ATS: Oklahoma City Thunder 15-11 / Denver Nuggets 16-11
  • Over/Under: Oklahoma City Thunder 12-14 / Denver Nuggets 10-16-1

Why bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder?

The Thunder saw their progress halted a little with 2 losses in their last 3 games, but this is still a team that has won 7 of their last 10. Where the Thunder have come a little undone this season is when playing teams with a winning record. They are 2 games below .500 in those match-ups as opposed to going 11-1 versus teams with a losing record.

That is a trend that needs to change if this team is to make a serious run at the Western Conference. They can start that with a win over the Nuggets, which is a task easier said than done given that the Thunder have only managed to win once in their last 6 meetings with Denver. They have also failed to cover the spread in each of their last 5 meetings with the Nuggets.

Team Stats

Offense 
  • Total Score: 111.65
  • Field Goal Percentage: 45.39
  • Three-Point Percentage: 31.80
  • Free Throw Percentage: 70.81
  • Total Rebounds: 45.58
Defense
  • Total Score: 105.23
  • Field Goal Percentage: 44.73
  • Three-Point Percentage: 32.37
  • Free Throw Percentage: 75.75
  • Total Rebounds: 44.12

Why bet on the Denver Nuggets?

The Nuggets saw a fantastic winning run come to an end with back to back losses to Charlotte and Atlanta, a pair of games you would have expected them to win. They did get back on track in their last outing, though, picking up a 105-99 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. This is still a team that has been a fantastic bet, especially of late, where they have gone 8-2 SU and ATS.

Thunder vs Nuggets is going to be a close battle.

The Nuggets have been outstanding at home this season, going 10-3 SU, but are even more impressive in their own building when you go back into last season, which would take that record to 17-3 SU in their last 20 games at home. They have had the number of OKC of late, so they might just be a good bet as the home underdog.

Team Stats

Offense 
  • Total Score: 109.96
  • Field Goal Percentage: 46.18
  • Three-Point Percentage: 34.33
  • Free Throw Percentage: 74.35
  • Total Rebounds: 47.19
Defense
  • Total Score: 103.67
  • Field Goal Percentage: 44.86
  • Three-Point Percentage: 32.08
  • Free Throw Percentage: 75.91
  • Total Rebounds: 41.81

Thunder vs Nuggets NBA Betting Trends

  • Oklahoma City is 14-7 ATS in its last 21 games
  • Oklahoma City is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 6 games
  • Denver is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
  • Denver is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver’s last 6 games

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Thunder vs Nuggets

It is, given their record, a bit of a surprise to see Denver in as the home dog for this one. They have only been the underdog in their own building once this season, where they covered the spread handily. I like them to win and cover here.

Score: Oklahoma City Thunder 107 – Denver Nuggets 109