OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Game 5 Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Denver Nuggets in a must-win Game 5, the Thunder are at home with control of the series on the line. The OKC Thunder have to protect home court.

May 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) controls the ball ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) in the third quarter during game four of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City is hosting the Denver Nuggets in a pivotal Game 5 of their second round series. With things all even at two wins each, the winner of Game 5 will be in the driver's seat to win the series which now turns into a best-of-3 with the Thunder owning home court advantage.

To this point, these two sides have traded wins, but the Thunder must parlay its gritty win on Sunday into a statement Game 5 victory tohelp secure its ticket to Oklahoma City's first Western Conference Finals trip since 2016.

Here is everything you need to know about this key matchup.

May 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) in the second quarter during game four of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 10.5-point favorites against the Denver Nuggets, and the total over/under is 221 points, according to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to shoot well from beyond the arc. Commonly, role players play better at home. Each side shot 24% from beyond the arc in the last game and would be hard pressed to shoot the ball any worse on Tuesday. Oklahoma City has to have the bigger boom from 3-point land in this game in a comfortable environment.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic have had sub-standard series to this point, who is going to take over this Game 5 and be unstoppable to the level we have seen them each play at? If the answer is both, it only highlights the first key to the game more. If only one does it, it needs to be Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder's sake.

OKC has to stay disciplined on defense while harrassing, hounding and hindering the Denver Nuggets offense to create frustration, bricked shots and turnovers which all can lead to the Thunder getting out and running. The more Oklahoma City plays in transition, the more they can not only tire out the Nuggets rotation running on fumes but avoid half court offense which has stalled against Denver's zone defense this series.

Among the likes of Jalen Williams, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Chet Holmgren, who has the best game? The Thunder's young duo has to dominate this game.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2) vs. Denver Nuggets (2-2)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report

Nikola Topic –– Knee: OUT

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

DaRon Holmes II –– Achilles: OUT

Hunter Tyson –– Ankle: OUT

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

TNT, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Denver Nuggets in a must-win Game 5. This is a high pressure game for the Thunder youngsters to avoid the need to win two in a row, one on the road, to win the series and punch its ticket to the Thunder's first Western Conference Finals trip since 2016.

Oklahoma City has to protect home court in what has now turned into a best-of-3 set with Games 5 and a potential Game 7 inside the Paycom Center.

Up next, the OKC Thunder head to Ball Arena to take on the Nuggets in Game 6, which will serve as an elimination game for the loser of this game.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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