The Oklahoma City Thunder-Denver Nuggets Western Conference quarterfinal was supposed to be the most evenly-matched and entertaining series of any of the NBA’s first-round series. And maybe it still will be, but if Denver doesn’t win back home on Saturday night, this series is all but over. Bet on this game with Bodog’s NBA odds.
Game 1 was wildly entertaining and Denver might have stolen a win if not for a terrible non-call on an obviously goaltending by Thunder center Kendrick Perkins. But Game 2 was never in doubt. Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Russell Westbrook added 21 in a balanced attack as Oklahoma City jumped to a 26-point lead early in the second quarter and never led again by less than 10. Thanks largely to Serge Ibaka and Perkins, the Thunder outrebounded Denver 41-19 through three quarters. After making their first seven shots in Game 1, the Nuggets missed their first six in Game 2. And they had just five offensive rebounds compared to 17 for Oklahoma City. Including the last two regular-season meetings, the Thunder have beaten the Nuggets four times in the last 16 days.
Denver might get some help for this one in Arron Afflalo. He has missed the first two games with a hamstring injury but vows to play in Game 3. Afflalo, who averaged 12.6 points this season, is one of the Nuggets' better defensive players. He would help immensely on Westbrook. The Nuggets also need to get something from J.R. Smith. He has played a total of just 24 minutes despite Afflalo being out and is 4-for-14 from the field for 11 points. The Nuggets are 33-8 at home this season.