NBA - 817 Denver Nuggets @ 818 Oklahoma City Thunder
Projected line: Oklahoma City by 5 points
Denver was almost able to have a miracle comeback in Memphis that was just denied in the last play of the game. The Nuggets showed some depth and with players like Brewer, Birdman and Faried showing that they can also give quality minutes to the team right now. As always, Denver was dependent from fast break points and points in the paint. The truth is that they were able to crush the Grizzlies defense in those areas with 60 points in the paint, 20-37 FG at the rim, 8-14 FG from 3-9 feet and 12 fast break points. For today, the Nuggets will be looking for revenge, as they lost to the Thunder in the playoffs last season.
To know if Denver will be able to be competitive tonight, we have to take a look at the interior defense of Oklahoma City. The truth is that the Thunder have been a bit banged up with Perkins having some injury issues and Sefolosha being out. Oklahoma City's perimeter defense hasn't been very well and Denver's quick and aggressive guards will cause them problems. The Thunder are allowing 61% FG at the rim this season, but 65% FG over the last five games!
I believe the key in here will be the matchup between Westbrook and Lawson. Both are explosive guards, but the Thunder have been committing a lot of turnovers and Denver is a great team in taking advantage of them. Denver has been improving a lot lately in terms of rim defense with 56% FG allowed at the rim over the past 10 games and if Oklahoma City becomes an exclusive jump shooting team tonight, then Denver will have some excellent chances to put their great transition offense to work. I expect Denver to come fired up to try to get revenge over the Thunder and they have some weapons to make Oklahoma City struggle indeed tonight. Therefore, I will take Denver in here.
NOTE: Spread line available also on Betonline or Bovada
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 817 Denver Nuggets (+8.5) @ -110 / 1.91 on The Greek
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