Game 1 between the Thunder and Nuggets was an instant classic, culminating in a dramatic Aaron Gordon three-pointer. Now, Oklahoma City and Denver will regroup for another showdown on Wednesday. Heading into this NBA playoffs matchup, which squad does the betting public favor in Game 2?
The Thunder enter tonight’s contest as 10.5-point favorites over the Nuggets, with the over/under set at 229.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Betting Splits
After Monday’s rousing 121-119 victory, the public is leaning towards another Denver triumph in Game 2. 52% of all bets and 67% of the handle on the moneyline are backing the visitors. There’s a familiarity for bettors with Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets, who won a title just two years ago. In contrast, the Thunder possess an average age of 24.2 years old. It’s uncertain how this youthful roster will respond to their first-ever Game 1 defeat.
The spread is even more in support of the Nuggets, who have garnered 79% of all bets. A slightly less overwhelming 66% of the handle expects the underdogs to cover. The line is currently set at -10.5 in favor of Oklahoma City. Denver has covered in three of its five meetings with the Thunder this season. Over its last four games as a favorite vs. the Nuggets, OKC has a record of 1-3 ATS.
The closest the public comes to a 50/50 split in this contest is for the total. 59% of bettors are hoping for at least 230 points, while 41% anticipate a lower scoring affair. Only once out of five times this season, back on October 24th, have these two clubs gone under.
Most Popular Player Props
Here are the five player props in tonight’s matchup receiving the most bets:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 12.5 assists + rebounds (-130)
- Christian Braun 20+ points + rebounds + assists (-140)
- Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double (+155)
- Russell Westbrook under 3.5 assists (-145)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ points (-250)
The most bet and fifth-most bet player prop tonight revolve around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City’s face of the franchise has been unstoppable this season, putting together a potential MVP campaign. SGA has been phenomenal in the NBA playoffs, averaging 28.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. The guard has recorded at least 13 assists + rebounds in three of his last five matchups with Denver. In addition, the All-Star has notched 30 points in over 64% of his outings this season.
Christian Braun is a key piece for the Nuggets, even if his contributions don’t always show up in the box score. The guard put together an 11-point, 13-rebound outing in Game 1. He’s reached 20+ P+R+A in each of his five meetings with the Thunder this season. On the flip side, bettors are fading his back court running mate, Russell Westbrook. The former MVP made arguably the play of the game on Monday, finding Gordon on the wing for an open three-pointer. However, the veteran has failed to record more than three assists in six of his previous eight appearances.
Finally, we have the third-most bet player prop of the night, a Nikola Jokic triple-double. The three-time MVP has become renowned for his ability to fill up a stat sheet. This season, the Joker led basketball with 34 triple-doubles; the next-closest player on the list was Giannis Antetokounmpo (11). Over his last five meetings with the Thunder, Jokic has averaged 28.0 points, 17.0 rebounds and 10.4 assists.
