The league’s top scoring defense will be a 7-point favorite at home in Pepsi Center, when the Denver Nuggets (15-8) clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder (11-13). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 205 points and it can be seen on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 14, 2019.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Nuggets (8-point favorites) beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 114-99, while the Thunder (2-point underdogs) fell to the Sacramento Kings, 94-93. The Denver game finished 3.5 points under the projected point total of 216.5, while the Oklahoma City game went 20 points under the projected point total of 207.
Denver played a nearly flawless game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 34.9 (above their season average of 23.0) and a free throw rate of 0.136 (matching their season average). Portland recorded marks of 17.5 and 0.093, respectively, for those same stats. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.152 vs. 0.068). Denver received a boost from Nikola Jokic, who had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Steven Adams played a key role for Oklahoma City with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nuggets dominated this series last year, taking all four games. In the last matchup, Denver won 115-105. Denver’s 0.647 effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Oklahoma City, who had a rate of 0.534. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Thunder games have a tendency to go under the total (62.5 percent). Oklahoma City heads into the game with records of 11-13 straight up (SU) and 15-8-1 against the spread (ATS).
Nuggets games also have a tendency to go under the O/U total (78.3 percent). Denver is 15-8 SU, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (9-11-3 ATS).
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams battle. Denver currently ranks 24th in possessions per game (101.0) and Oklahoma City is 25th (100.5).
Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Denver ranks 19th in second chance points per game (12.5) while Oklahoma City ranks 29th (10.1).
- The Thunder rank fourth in fast break points allowed per game (12.0) while the Nuggets rank 11th (12.8).
- Denver ranks third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.3) while Oklahoma City ranks seventh (15.8).
- The Thunder rank third in assists allowed per game (21.9) while the Nuggets rank 12th (23.8).
- The Nuggets rank 10th in rebounds per game (46.0) while the Thunder rank 12th in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
- Oklahoma City ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (30.7) while Denver ranks 11th (33.0).
- Denver is 10-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 5-3.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Nuggets are 13-4 and the Thunder are 11-7.
- Oklahoma City is 8-4 ATS on the road, while Denver is 5-6-1 ATS at home.
- The Thunder have 8 unders and 4 overs in 12 road games.
- The Nuggets have 10 unders and 2 overs in 12 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Oklahoma City and Denver have both had 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Thunder are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Nuggets are 2-2-1.
- The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.0, up from 0.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 106.4 points per game (0.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 100.2 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
