The Northwest’s top team, the Oklahoma City Thunder (53-24), travel to the Pepsi Center to play the division rival Denver Nuggets (32-46). The game gets underway at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Apr. 5 and can be seen on ALT and FxK.
The Nuggets are expecting better results after their 115-106 loss to the Kings on Saturday. Gary Harris finished with 19 points to lead the team. The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off a 118-110 loss at the hands of the Rockets on Sunday. Oklahoma City still lost despite the best efforts of Russell Westbrook, who recorded his 51st double-double of the season with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The Thunder have won all three contests against the Nuggets this season, including a 110-104 victory in their last matchup. Kevin Durant played a big role with 30 points and 12 rebounds.
The Nuggets come into this game 32-46 Straight Up (SU) and 40-34-4 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 12-2 SU and 7-7 ATS against divisional opponents. Denver has averaged 112.1 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 102.2.
Over on the other bench, the Thunder have a record of 32-42-3 ATS and 53-24 SU. Oklahoma City has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. Offensively, they average 110.1 points per game, which is good for second in the league. The Thunder get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking fourth in the league with 1,520 made (19.0 per game). When it comes to defending the rim, the Thunder are one of the best in the league with an average of 6.0 blocks per game.
The Thunder’s win over Denver in their last clash brought their SU record in the past 10 games to 8-2. The Thunder also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-3-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC
Notes
“Denver is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Denver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games “.
“Denver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 14 of Denver’s last 21 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver’s last 6 games at home”.
“Denver is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Oklahoma City”.
“Denver is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City”.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver’s last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City”.
“Denver is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City”.
Denver’s offense and Oklahoma City’s defense are well matched when it comes to scoring. Denver scores 102.2 points per game (ranked 16th). Oklahoma City gives up 102.9 points per game, which is also ranked 16th.
On average, Denver puts up 104.3 points per home game (ranked 17th). Oklahoma City ranks 22nd in points allowed per road game with 105.8.
The Denver Nuggets are an even 13-13 when they keep their opponents to fewer than 100 points. The Oklahoma City Thunder have an abysmal record of 3-12 this season when they don’t reach the century mark.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Nuggets are just 19-33 this season. Oklahoma City is a formidable 50-12 when it hits the century mark.
The Nuggets have an offensive rating of 103.5 (ranked 18th). The Thunder rank 12th for their defensive rating of 103.5.
Oklahoma City beats Denver in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Thunder average 99.7 possessions and 1.104 points per possession, while the Nuggets average 98.7 possessions with 1.035 points per possession.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking third in the league with an EFF% of 52.4%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Denver Nuggets have an underachieving 8-26 record.
On average, the Oklahoma City Thunder make 22.9 assists per game and the Denver Nuggets make 22.7. Oklahoma City is ranked 10th, while Denver is ranked 14th.
Denver makes an average of 4.8 blocks per game (ranked 17th). Oklahoma City ranks higher in blocks with 6.0 (ranked fifth).
Denver ranks among the best in the league in offensive rebounding at fourth, while Oklahoma City ranks third in defensive rebounds.
On average, Denver makes 7.4 steals per game. Oklahoma City has a solid 39-19 record when it allows at least 7 steals.
