Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
When: Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBATV
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Betting on the Denver Nuggets (39-42)
The Nuggets are not going to playoffs in part because Oklahoma City beat them last Sunday at home, 106-105. Everyone remembers that game of course, which was where Russell Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson’s single-season triple doubles record.
While the playoffs is out of the picture for the Nuggets, that loss will fuel them later tonight in Chesapeake Energy Arena, as they look to end their season on a positive note. Danilo Gallinari won’t be able to help Denver against the Thunder, though, with team deciding to shut him down. Gallinari led the Nuggets with 34 points in last week’s loss to Oklahoma City but even without him, Denver has plenty of scorers to make up for his absence. Gary Harris, who scored 20 points in Denver’s 109-91 win over Dallas Tuesday, is looking to have a better showing this time against the Thunder. He scored just two points in 36 minutes in the most recent matchup with the Thunder.
Denver is third in the league in scoring with 111.7 points per game but the Nuggets are scoring even better when up against the Thunder, putting up 113.3 in three meetings thus far this season with OKC.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (47-24)
Yes, Nuggets fans. Your team will have to deal with Russell Westbrook again. Westbrook has been beasting all season long and the Nuggets sure know how it’s like to play against raging animal in Westbrook, who dinged Denver with 50 points, including a buzzer-beating three that won the game for the Thunder last Sunday and erased any hopes left for the Nuggets to make the playoffs.
In addition, Westbrook had 16 rebounds and 10 assists in that game to notch his 42nd triple double of the season, thus setting a new record in the process. He is averaging a triple double against the Nuggets this season, posting 39.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 12.7 assists over the past three games against Denver.
Westbrook didn’t play in the Thunder’s 100-98 road win over Minnesota but he’ll likely be in uniform tonight to play the regular season finale in front of the Thunder crowd.
The Thunder is the best rebounding team in the league and it manifested against the Nuggets last Sunday, when they grabbed 59 boards as against Denver’s 44. Rebounding is key for teams going up against the Nuggets, who are fourth in the league in shot attempts per game.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City wins, 116-112.
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