Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Preview, Lineups & Prediction - NBA 2024-25

With the Oklahoma City Thunder entering this season as a top-three team in the West talent-wise, their first big test is against 2022 Finals winner, Nikola Jokic. This game will be played on Friday, October 25th at 7:30 A.M. IST in Ball Arena. Below are our betting odds, match previews, and predictions for this matchup. 

Two squads with title aspirations enter this game, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to rebound after a tough 2nd round exit to Dallas last season. As they were the number one seed, there is no better way to understand where this team is at than starting against a lot of people’s favorites in the Denver Nuggets. 

Nuggets vs Thunder Odds

Nuggets vs Thunder Match Preview

Denver Nuggets

This is a year where Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are going to fight till the end after a crushing defeat to Minnesota in the 2nd round. Jokic, the MVP with 26.4 points and 9.0 assists last season, really continued to be one of the most unguardable players as he hopes to continue playing offense at his own will. Although they lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, this team got a veteran leader in Russell Westbrook, 11.0 with 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists, to back-up star Jamal Murray. 

As Murray, 21.2 with 6.5 assists,  will keep dishing it inside to Jokic, he has shown continuous improvement in his paint game. Given that he will have Miachel Porter Jr., 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds last year, waiting on the wing with slowly-rising guard Christian Braun, there should be an expectation for a lot more threes. Aaron Gordon will continue thriving on the glass and help this starting lineup complement a bench that has breakout candidate Julian Strawher waiting. 

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 30.1 points and 6.2 assists, will once again carry the load as he hopes to make a 2nd straight run as an MVP finalist. One of the most elusive and quick guards in the league, he can create a scary duo with Chet Holmgren, 16.5 points plus 7.9 rebounds, who turned out to be a pivotal piece underneath. 

Holmgren’s size helped OKC run up the court quicker and free up more room for Jalen Williams to score. Having put in 19.0 points per game on 42.1% from three, it helped create one of the dominating offenses league-wide. Now with the addition of Alex Caruso, 10.1 points and 1.7 steals, for defensive purposes, this looks like a championship roster with Isaiah Hartenstein set to return as a rebounder.

Nuggets vs Thunder Starting Lineups 

Denver Nuggets Starting 5 - Jamal Murray(PG), Christian Braun(SG), Miachel Porter Jr.(SF), Aaron Gordon(PF), Nikola Jokic(C)

Bench - Russell Westbrook(PG/SG), Julian Strawher(SG/SF), Hunter Tyson(SF/PF), Peyton Watson(SF/PF), Dario Saric(C), Trey Alexander(PG/SG), Zeke Nnaji(C), Vlakto Cancar(PF), DeAndre Jordan(C), Jalen Pickett(SG)

Oklahoma City Thunder Starting 5 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander(PG), Alex Caruso(SG), Luguentz Dort(SF), Jalen Williams(PF), Chet Holmgren(C)

Bench- Cason Wallace(PG/SG), Isaiah Joe(SG), Aaron Wiggins(SF/PF), Ajay Mitchell(PG/SG), Ousmane Dieng(PF/C), Alex Reese(C), Adam Flagler(PG)

Nuggets vs Thunder Over/Under Tips

Total Match Points Over 225.5 at 1.88 (Parimatch)

Although both squads feature tremendous scoring options, there have been many games decided on the stronger defenses in these matchups previously. The last time they played each other there were only a combined 205 points scored as the game came down to the wire. 

Total Points in the First Half Over 112.5 at 1.83 (1XBET)

Denver averaged 57.6 points in the first half last season and Oklahoma City was 59.0, but with all the emphasis on defense for both rosters this offseason, it will be a quite low-scoring half. The last time these two squads had played each other the total first-half score was 97 points. 

Denver Nuggets Total Match Points Over 113.5 at 1.87 (Parimatch)

Although the Nuggets do have the firepower to score a bunch of points in this matchup, one key will be that OKC always plays them tough on the perimeter. With these being intense matchups on defensive ends, the Nuggets have only scored over 100 points once in their last 3 matchups. 

Nuggets vs Thunder Match Prediction

As Oklahoma City enters this game with high expectations and a potential contender to represent the West in the Finals, they will have to go up against one of their toughest rivals in Denver. In a matchup that Denver has lost 4 of 5 though, this is a year where Nikola Jokic will play at an extra dominant level and try to get past everyone he faces. 

After the offense fell flat last offseason, Jokic will once again command his squad and go on one against a much skinnier Chet Holmgren. Given skill and size he should dominate this matchup, while Aaron Gordon will use his big frame to control Jalen Williams in the paint. Although OKC got Caruso, his offensive game might not match what Christian Braun brings and Jamal Murray is quick enough at the point to beat Shai-Gilegous Alexander. 

With Russell Westbrook starting on the bench, his athletic ability will test a lot of youngsters like Ajay Mitchell’s on the Thunder. But, if Lugentz Dort can keep Miachel Porter Jr. quiet and Shai ends up having an MVP-like night this could easily go the other way. 

Our Prediction - Denver Nuggets to Win!