Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Predictions, Odds, Bets & Player Props WCSF Game 1– 05/05/2025

On Monday, 05/05, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals.. The Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, meanwhile, the Nuggets had to fight for a 4-3 series victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. Will the experienced Nuggets make the Thunder flinch here? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.

Where to Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets

• Time: 7:30 AM (MT) 
• Venue: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
• Where to watch: This game can be viewed on the NBA League Pass.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Series Lookahead

The Nuggets face a much bigger challenge

The Nuggets had to fight tooth and nail against the LA Clippers in a seven-game series. They needed game-tying and game-winning shots during two wins. Denver had saved their best for last.

During Game 7, they blew away the  LA Clippers by 19 points, leading by 27 points by the end of the third quarter. This win proves that the 2022 core championship still has a lot of gas in the tank. But will their engines rev against the highly stacked Thunder team?

OKC can be too much to handle. They defeated the Grizzlies by 51 points in Game 1. Then they erased a 29-point deficit in Game 3 to pave the way for a sweep. However, the Nuggets are a more well-versed team than Memphis.

They beat a stacked All-Star team of Clippers and are battle-hardened. Even the grazed Memphis had some great moments against the Thunder, which can become a motivator for Denver.

But do the Nuggets have the tools for a series upset? There are some doubts about it, especially considering OKC’s defense, which suits the playoff intensity.

They will be amped up at home, and Denver will need Nikola Jokic to play better than first round. Jokic has looked overly fatigued, which can be a huge factor here.

They will now play after just a day’s rest, while the Thunder had a week’s rest.

Nuggets Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Jamal Murray | SG: Christian Braun |  SF: Michael Porter Jr. | PF: Aaron Gordon | C: Nikola Jokic

Key bench players: PG: Russell Westbrook.

Injuries/Updates: Nothing to report as such.

Thunder Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Shai-Gilgeous Alexander | SG: Luguentz Dort | SF: Jalen Williams | SF: Chet Holmgren | C: Isaiah Hartenstein

Key bench players: SG: Cason Wallace, SG: Alex Caruso,  SG: Aaron Wiggins.

Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Total Over/Under Prediction– NBA Betting Picks

The Nuggets scored 120 or more in two of the last three games while giving up 110 or more in three games, too. On the other hand, the Thunder scored 114 or more in all the games against Memphis. It indicates a high-scoring series, as both teams can engage in shootouts. 

The bookmakers also believe so and have projected the scoring to reach the 220+ point mark. I believe both teams will make at least 110, especially the Thunder.

• Total: O 223.5 for -110 at BetMGM
• Thunder: Points Over 117.5 for -102  at BetMGM

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Player Props Predictions- NBA Best Picks

Nikola Jokic to dish over 9.5 assists: The Joker dished 10.1 APG during the first round. He hit the “over” mark in the series on four occasions last season. I see something similar happening here.

Isaiah Hartenstein to grab over 9.5 rebounds: Hartenstein averaged 8.8 rebounds per game in four games during the last series. He pulled down 10 or more rebounds in two of the four games. I expect Hartenstein to stack up 10 rebounds here.

Jalen Williams to score 21.5 points: The Thunder Wing averaged 23.3 PPG in the four games against the Grizzlies, thus he is in impeccable form. I believe Williams to be in the 22-24 range here.

Main pick: Points: Jalen Williams O 21.5 for -105 at BetMGM

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Game 1 Prediction– NBA Betting Lines

The Thunder will enter as overwhelming favorites. They have much better defense than Denver, but the Nuggets arguably have as good an offense as they do. Jokic will need to up his game, but just a day’s rest may not be sufficient.

But I expect the Joker to step his game up, whereas Jamal Murray will be itching to go for a big night here. I believe Denver will step up their game here, but the fresh legs of Thunder athletes will be decisive in the second half.

The projected spread of -9.5 in favor of OKC makes sense. However, I do believe Denver will cover their spread of _9.5, but lose by 5-7 points. 

Safe Spread Pick:  Nuggets for +9.5 for -115 at BetMGM 

Betting Lines:

• Spread: Thunder -9.5: -105. Nuggets -9.5: -115
• Total: O 223.5: -110. U 223.5: -110

Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!

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