This is the Denver Nuggets' season opener and the Oklahoma City Thunder's second game of the season, but their first at home. Two recent MVPs meet again: Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has already made a strong start to the new NBA season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder were the Western Conference's top seeds last season, but lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals. This season began with a win over the same opponents (116:104, 21 October): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points (13 of 27 from the field, 3 steals and 3 blocks), while Jared McCain added 20 points off the bench, including six three-pointers. The hosts led by 26 points before the Spurs cut the deficit to single figures. Despite a poor pre-season, with one win and four defeats, the Thunder made a successful start.
Denver Nuggets
Under David Adelman, the Denver Nuggets finished last season with a 54-28 record, winning their final 12 games, but lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games in the first round of the play-offs. They recorded 3 wins and 2 defeats in pre-season, including victories over the Chicago Bulls (133:128) and the Los Angeles Lakers (121:106). Against the Lakers, Nikola Jokic had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists on 7-of-8 shooting, Jamal Murray scored 21 points, Brown added 16, and Marvin Bagley III contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds. Jokic typically provides plenty of assists in these games (7-8), while Trevon Brazile scored 22 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the Nuggets lost forward Spencer Jones to a hamstring injury before the start of the season.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The Oklahoma City Thunder won three of the four meetings last season: 121:111, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributing 34 points and 13 assists, and two further victories by margins of 6 and 3 points. However, in their most recent meeting on 10 April, the Denver Nuggets won by 20 points at home. The Thunder remain favourites: they have the stronger squad and a recent game under their belts, but this is Denver's first away game of the season, and meetings between these teams are usually close. We will therefore back the visitors with a positive handicap.
