Oklahoma City Thunder (15-7) vs. Denver Nuggets (16-9)
Oklahoma City Thunder, sporting an impressive 15-7 record, are set to face Denver Nuggets with 16-9 record. Their scheduled matchup for Saturday will take place at Ball Arena with live coverage available through ALT. As fans and bettors alike look forward to this clash, it provides the ideal opportunity for those searching for NBA betting picks to explore an action-packed matchup full of strategic matchups and star power.
The Thunder have enjoyed an outstanding year on offense this year, scoring an average of 120.4 points per game while shooting 49.2% from the field and 39.1% on 3-point attempts; their free-throw line performance has also been excellent at 85.3% success rate. Defensively they average 8.7 steals and 6.1 blocks per game to help break up opponent rhythm; however their 20.2 fouls per game could provide opponents scoring opportunities to create chaos on opposing teams’ sides.
The Nuggets average 114.2 points per game on average while only shooting 48.9% from field goals; their rebounding prowess more than makes up for it though with 44.4 per game rebounding average per game; they boast an outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio which speaks volumes about their teamwork; however their main area for improvement lies with 3-point shooting accuracy, where they trail Oklahoma City considerably with only 37% accuracy versus Oklahoma City accuracy.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Ball Arena |
| TV: | ALT |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG) vs. Nikola Jokic (C)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inserts himself in the MVP conversation, pacing the Thunder with over 34 PPG on highly efficient shooting splits. His playmaking (6.2 APG) ignites their offense while also grading excellently defensively (2.8 SPG). Capable of erupting for 40+ points on any given night, the Nuggets defensive issues could mean another monster showing.
Nikola Jokic pilots the Nuggets ship once more, posting nightly averages across 34 minutes a game. Although his scoring lags last year’s totals, he has sharpened his playmaking while hauling in a league-best 16 rebounds per-48. His high IQ and passing wizardry breaking down OKC’s defense may decide this Western Conference showdown.
Saturday’s matchup will likely come down to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Nikola Jokic. While Gilgeous-Alexander has more scoring upside, the Joker offers additional playmaking juice and elite glass-cleaning. Their supporting casts must provide ample help to grab the win.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
Winners of four straight before a hiccup against Cleveland, the Thunder get right back on track against a leaky Denver defense. They have performed admirably on the road, covering spreads in seven of nine contests. OKC also trends over the total, hitting in three of five and six of 11 at home. SGA should pace their prolific offense towards another strong showing.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends
The Thunder have shown a strong performance on the road against the spread, going 7-2, indicating their ability to perform under pressure. Their recent trend of going OVER in the total points in 3 of their last 5 games suggests a tendency towards high-scoring matches, a factor for bettors to consider.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
Losers of three of five, the Nuggets have struggled to cover spreads in recent outings (1-4 ATS L5). Their defense remains susceptible on the highway, conceding over 55% shooting during a 3-10 ATS road record. However, in Denver, this unit stiffens. The totals have still trended over thanks to their top-ten scoring figures and rebounding potential.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets 12/16/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this game is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting potent offenses. The Thunder’s impressive road record against the spread and their overall offensive efficiency might give them a slight edge.
In terms of betting, while the Thunder could be the safer pick, the Nuggets’ ability to bounce back, especially at home, should not be underestimated. Prop bets focusing on individual performances of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic could offer value. For those looking for the best online betting experience, this game provides an exciting opportunity with its high-scoring potential and star-player matchups.
