OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Prediction and Preview | Oct. 24, 2024

The OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets matchup is one of the four NBA games scheduled for Thursday. The two Western Conference contenders start their regular season with this game.

The two teams have faced each other 199 times in the regular season, with OKC holding a 105-94 record. They met four times last season, with the Thunder taking the series 3-1.

OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets game details and odds

The OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets game is scheduled for 10 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Ball Arena. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT. It can also be streamed live on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.

Moneyline: Thunder (+110) vs. Nuggets (-130)

Spread: Thunder (+2) vs. Nuggets (-2)

Total (O/U): Thunder -110 (o226) vs. Nuggets -110 (u226)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets preview

This is a matchup between arguably two of the best teams in the West. Last season, they finished with identical 57-25 records. OKC got the No. 1 seed because of its 3-1 season series win against Denver. While the Nuggets have reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, the Thunder have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished second in MVP voting last season.

The Thunder are being touted as the favorites from the West. They have one of the youngest rosters in the league, which only got better over the offseason after acquiring Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein.

The Nuggets are just a season removed from their championship run in 2023. They still have one of the best Starting 5 in the NBA and added Russell Westbrook in the offseason to come off of the bench.

Both teams, however, lost in the Western semifinals last season: OKC to Dallas and Denver to Minnesota. Expect the Thunder and Nuggets to come out strong Thursday in what should be successful regular seasons for both teams.

OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets predicted starting lineups

The Thunder are with a few key injuries to start the season. Isaiah Hartenstein is out with a fracture in his left hand. Jaylin Williams (hamstring), Kenrich Williams (knee) and Nikola Topic (ACL) are out as well. OKC coach Mark Daigneault should start:

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SG: Alex Caruso SF: Luguentz Dort PF: Jalen Williams C: Chet Holmgren

OKC’s key bench players should be Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.

The Nuggets’ only injury concern is DaRon Holmes II who is out with an Achilles injury. Expect coach Mike Malone to start:

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

Denver’s primary bench players could be Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Hunter Tyson, Peyton Watson and Dario Saric.

Editor's note: These are the predicted lineups and could change based on the availability of players.

OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets betting props

Nikola Jokic’s total is set at 26.5. Expect the reigning MVP to come out strong and score over 26.5 points on Thursday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s points prop is set at 30.5. With injuries to several players, Shai will have to shoulder most of the offensive load. He should score more than 30.5 points.

OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets prediction

The oddsmakers favor the Nuggets slightly to win at home. While the Thunder arguably have the better roster when healthy, injuries to key starters should give Denver the win here. This should be a high-scoring game with the team total going past 226 points.