Nuggets vs. Thunder Prediction: NBA Picks & Odds (Oct. 22)
My Nuggets vs. Thunder prediction targets Denver's barren bench against one of the NBA's best backup units. That will be the difference in this matchup between teams whose starting fives square up pretty evenly.
Thursday's tipoff is at 9:30 p.m. from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (ESPN). The home Thunder are priced as an 8.5- to 9.5-point betting favorite, a spread that I have the championship front-runners covering.
Nuggets vs. Thunder picks & odds
See all of our experts' NBA picks based on the latest NBA odds.
| Pick | Odds | Bet size (units) |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder -8.5 | -112 via bet365 | 1 unit to profit 0.89 units |
| Jared McCain Over 10.5 points | -104 via DraftKings | 0.5 units to profit 0.48 units |
| DeMar DeRozan Over 17.5 points + rebounds + assists | -112 via bet365 | 0.5 units to profit 0.45 units |
Picks submitted: Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. ET. Odds subject to change.
Total wagered: 2 units | Profit if all picks win: 1.82 units
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Nuggets vs. Thunder best bet
Thunder -8.5 (-112 via bet365)
This may seem like it's too big of a spread between Western Conference contenders, but the Nuggets have serious depth issues entering the season.
DeMar DeRozan is listed as Denver's backup shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. I don't know how the Nuggets will fill 48 minutes tonight.
So even while Denver's starting five can go toe-to-toe with Oklahoma City's, the Thunder's depth will be the difference in them pulling away in the second half on Thursday. I bet the Thunder to win and cover 8.5 points at bet365's -112 odds.
Play to: Thunder -9.5 (-105), pass at Thunder -10.
Score prediction: Thunder 120, Nuggets 110
Nuggets vs. Thunder player props
Jared McCain Over 10.5 points (-104 via DraftKings)
Jared McCain went off for 20 points in Oklahoma City's season-opening win over the Spurs. He's making the most of increased playing time and usage rate with the Thunder because of his efficient play on the offensive end.
Following McCain's trade from the 76ers to the Thunder last season, he averaged 14 points in matchups against the Nuggets. That included going Over this scoring total in all three meetings.
I'm comfortable betting the 10.5 total at DraftKings to get better odds than the 9.5 offered at other best sports betting sites.
Play to: Over 11.5 points (+105), pass at 12.5.
DeMar DeRozan Over 17.5 points + rebounds + assists (-112 via bet365)
As I already discussed in my best bet, DeMar DeRozan will get plenty of minutes tonight as one of the few proven players the Nuggets have on their bench.
DeRozan hasn't averaged less than 17.5 PRA since his rookie year all the way back in 2009-10. While being outside of the starting five is new for him, the former All-Star's game is built for immediate impact when he takes the floor.
The veteran scorer will finish Over this combo prop total in his Nuggets debut, which I bet at -112 odds at bet365.
Play to: Over 18.5 PRA (-105), pass at 19.5.
Live Nuggets vs. Thunder odds
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How to watch Nuggets vs. Thunder
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 22
- Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
- TV/Streaming: ESPN
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