The Denver Nuggets (2-0) travel to play the Oklahoma City Thunder (2-0) in a Sunday afternoon showdown. This is the first of four matchups between Northwest Division foes. In 2022, Denver won three of the four regular-season outings. Both teams are off to a 2-0 start, making Sunday’s showdown a pivotal matchup early in the season.
Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Nuggets are 3.5-point favorites in the latest Nuggets vs. Thunder odds according to the SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 230. Before making any Thunder vs. Nuggets picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons. The model finished the 2022-23 NBA season on a 72-39 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. Thunder and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Thunder vs. Nuggets:
Nuggets vs. Thunder spread: Denver -3.5
Nuggets vs. Thunder over/under: 230 points
Nuggets vs. Thunder money line: Denver -166, Oklahoma City +140
OKC: The Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last six games
DEN: The Nuggets are 16-4 in their last 20 games against OKC
Nuggets vs. Thunder picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Forward Aaron Gordon is an athletic two-way presence in the frontcourt. Gordon has been excellent at cutting and finishing around the rim. The Arizona product plays defense at a high level and will take on the opposing team’s best offensive player. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and four assists per game. On Oct. 24 versus the Lakers, Gordon had 15 points, seven boards, and five assists.
Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope complements his teammates very well due to his ability to play off the ball and space the floor as a knockdown shooter. The Georgia product also plays outstanding defense and will jump into passing lanes. Through two games, he’s averaging 14 points, two rebounds, and four steals per game. In the win over the Lakers, he totaled 20 points and three steals. See which team to pick here.
Why the Thunder can cover
Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has tremendous size and feel for the game in the backcourt. Gilgeous-Alexander gets to his spots on the floor with ease and has exceptional body control at the rim. The 25-year-old is leading the team in scoring (32.5), assists (7), and steals (3) to go along with eight rebounds per game. In Friday’s win over the Cavaliers, he finished with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
Power forward Chet Holmgren has impressive length (7’1) with a knack for piling up blocks and rebounds. Holmgren hovers around the basket on both ends but can step out on the perimeter to knock down jumpers. The Gonzaga product is first on the squad in rebounds (8.5) and blocks (3.5) with 13.5 points per game. In his last outing, Holmgren notched 16 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks. See which team to pick here.
How to make Thunder vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting 238 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model’s NBA picks at SportsLine.