Denver Basketball Team, Nuggets, Create Upset Win Over LA Clippers in Playoff Game
Rewritten Article:
Get ready for a highly-anticipated matchup! The Denver Nuggets are kicking off their first playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder since the Nikola Jokic era. This battle will be a crucial test for both teams, with the Thunder, boasting their top seed, standing as formidable favorites.
As of Sunday afternoon, BetMGM has set Oklahoma City as -800 favorites to win the series. The sheer dominance of the Thunder has left many empty-handed for those backing the Nuggets.
The series is more than just a game—it's a reflection of the NBA MVP race, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC and Jokic being the top contenders. The winner will be announced during the series.
Oklahoma City has just finished a four-game sweep against the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Nuggets barely managed to secure a win in their seven-game battle against the Clippers, thanks largely to Russell Westbrook's impressive contributions. The two teams tied their regular-season series 2-2, with a thrilling two-game split in Oklahoma City on March 9 and 10.
Here's the schedule for the seven-game series:
Nuggets at Thunder, Game 1: Monday, May 5
7:30 p.m. MT, TNT/truTV
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
Game 2: Wednesday, May 7
7:30 p.m. MT, TNT/truTV
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
Game 3: Friday, May 9
8 p.m. MT, ESPN
Ball Arena, Denver
Game 4: Sunday, May 11
1:30 p.m. MT, ABC
Ball Arena, Denver
In case of a tie (Game 5 to Game 7), the specific dates, times, and TV channels will be announced later.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have benefited from their No. 1 seed status and home-court advantage, making them the heavy favorites against the Denver Nuggets. National Basketball Association (NBA) betting analysts project the Thunder to win the series in 4–5 games, with the Thunder –2.5 Games (-130) listed as the series best bet.
The gap in the teams' depth is significant, as Oklahoma City boasts a superior bench, surpassing Denver's reliance on a seven-man rotation that includes injury-limited contributors like Michael Porter Jr. and inconsistent performances from Russell Westbrook. The Thunder's youth, rest advantage (nine days off), and preparation time are seen as critical factors in their favor.
The MVP race between Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander is an intriguing aspect of this series. Jokic's postseason performance, averaging 22.6 points, could strengthen his MVP case if the Nuggets manage to upset the Thunder. However, his team's underdog status and roster limitations make this a challenging feat. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander's potential dominance in the series could further solidify his standing as a rising postseason performer.
For bettors, the Thunder's -9.5 spread in Game 1 (-112 odds) is a widely recommended wager, with a perceived 60% win probability against the implied 52.9%.
- The Denver Nuggets face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first playoff series of the Nikola Jokic era.
- The Nuggets will need excellent performances from players like Russell Westbrook to pose a challenge to the Thunder, who are currently -800 favorites to win the series.
- The NBA MVP race is closely tied to this matchup, with Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being the top contenders.
- The Thunder have several advantages heading into the series, including a superior bench, the home-court advantage, and more days of rest.
- Despite the challenges, Jokic's postseason performance could improve his MVP chances if the Nuggets can pull off an upset, while Gilgeous-Alexander's dominance could further cement his reputation as a postseason performer.
