Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The Denver Nuggets pulled off a Game 1 victory despite a challenging set of circumstances: fatigue, a packed fixture list, 17 turnovers, and a clear disadvantage in steals (12-6). The Oklahoma City Thunder now have much to consider heading into Game 2.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The schedule had seemingly handed the Oklahoma City Thunder a prime opportunity to take control of the series early, but the squad failed to capitalise on a 14-point advantage and faltered late on. It wasn’t a matter of abandoning their core identity — the team registered 11 blocks, converted numerous turnovers into 23 points, and benefited from a strong outing by Alex Caruso, who chipped in with 20 points to offset underwhelming displays from Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. What ultimately cost them was a lapse in concentration, a failure to execute fine details, and a lack of experience in high-pressure playoff moments.
Denver Nuggets
Rebounding dominance was the key to victory for the Denver Nuggets, providing a steady stream of second-chance opportunities. They outrebounded the Oklahoma City Thunder (63-43) overall, and more crucially, held a 21-13 edge on the offensive glass — a gap that proved crucial. Nikola Jokić was monumental on the boards, pulling down 22 rebounds. Despite showing signs of fatigue, the squad did not shy away from perimeter shooting, making 10 of 32 from three-point range. The decisive blow came from Aaron Gordon, who knocked down the game-winning three on a fast break at a critical juncture. Russell Westbrook also made a notable impact off the bench, extending his strong postseason run. After impressing against the Los Angeles Clippers, he added 18 points in 30 minutes against his former team and recorded a solid +4 in the plus-minus category.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The numbers speak for themselves: the Denver Nuggets entered Game 1 in a considerably tougher spot, yet the spread in their favour has since widened (+10.5). Taking into account the draining Game 7 against the Los Angeles Clippers, the travel involved, and the rest advantage held by the Oklahoma City Thunder, this shift is significant. Now that the playing field has evened out, it’s clear this series is set to be far more competitive than initially assumed. With that in mind, the handicap on the Denver Nuggets looks to be the more favourable choice, even if the Oklahoma City Thunder manage to raise their game.
