OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Game Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Denver Nuggets in the first game of their second round series on Monday night. Here is the keys to the game, how to watch and betting lines for this contest.

Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The wait is over. Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs is here.

It took a long time to decide this matchup, but the Oklahoma City Thunder will be taking on the Denver Nuggets in Round 2, a spot where both squad's seasons ended a year ago. Something has to give this series.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a dominant 68-win regular season and will now be challenged for the first time in the NBA Playoffs.

OKC's youth and experience runs up against a Denver core that has already bagged a championship.

The last two seasons top-two NBA MVP finishers will go toe-to-toe. Russell Westbrook returns to the house he built. Old school vs. new school. Something has to give in what will be a fantastic series.

It all starts on Monday in Game 1. Here is everything you need to know about that matchup.

Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 9.5-point favorites against the Denver Nuggets, and the total over/under is 225 points, according to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to set the tone early with its defense. The Thunder have been the best defense all season long and need to play its suffocating style right out of the gate in this game in an attmept to demoralize Denver, who is fighting an uphill battle in Game 1 given the quick turnaround off its Game 7 win against the Clippers on Saturday.

3-Point shot variants will decide this game in a lot of ways, this is a chance for Oklahoma City to gain confidence if they see their shots falling. Role players typically play better at home and worse on the road which is another swing toward the Thunder's favor. This would be the biggest stage the Thunder's supporting cast has hit its triples to date but it needs to happen to set up the foundation of a series win.

Jalen Williams has to have a big offenisve night. Not only in the scoring department but as a table setter in the secondary unit. Oklahoma City is asking a lot of a young swingman in his second-ever playoff run, but this is what is required to reach the Thunder's goals.

Russell Westbrook has been a polarizing player for Denver and his shot variants from deep will go a long way in determining wins for the Nuggets in this series. In large part, Westbrook will either make-or-miss his 3-point chances that teams are willing to give to him. However, when he puts the ball on the deck and ducks his head to drive, the Thunder have to force the issue creaitng turnovers and missed shots.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an incredible Game 4 to break out of what was ultimately a Round 1 slump production wise. The Thunder can not afford another uncharacteristically inefficient game from its superstar in this series.

Lu Dort will be a massive swing factor for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not only is he tasked with keeping Jamal Murray in check on the defensive end, but offensively the Thunder need him to have a loud series from beyond the arc. If Dort can limit Murray's scoring punch, the Thunder will be in a great position.

SERIES RECORD:

Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0) vs. Denver Nuggets (0-0)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report

Nikola Topic –– Knee: OUT

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

DaRon Holmes II –– Achilles: OUT

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Monday, May 5, 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 OKC Thunder need to set a tone in this series with a Game 1 win. Given all the advantages they have their way –– both in the talent department and rest advantage –– losing Game 1 would be a massive disappointment. The Thunder's core, for as inexperienced as they are, is 3-0 in Game 1s to date. That trend has to continue.

Up next, the two sides get back together for Game 2 inside the Paycom Center on Wednesday night.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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