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Nikola Jokic opens his season in Oklahoma City against the team that won 64 games last year. The Thunder are laying eight and a half. That’s a lot of points to give the best player in the world. I’ll take Denver and the points.
The Matchup
- OKC is already 1-0. The Thunder beat San Antonio 116-104 on Tuesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32, and Jared McCain added 20 off the bench.
- Denver’s opener. The Nuggets went 54-28 and outscored teams by 5.1 a game last season. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists, and Jamal Murray added 25.4.
- OKC was brutal at home. The Thunder went 34-8 at Paycom Center and outscored teams by 11.1 a game overall.
- Tip-off. 9:30 PM ET in Oklahoma City, on ESPN.
Injuries
Denver’s Spencer Jones (hamstring) is questionable, and Julian Strawther is out with a knee sprain. OKC is without Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber.
The Number
Last season’s margins plus home court make OKC about an eight-point favorite. The board says eight and a half. So the numbers and the board basically agree, and the extra half point is on Denver’s side.
The honest case against: that’s a thin edge, OKC already has a game under its belt, and the Thunder were brutal at home last season. It’s a Game Pick, a lean, and like every pick we post, it lands on the receipts page win or lose.
Bottom Line
Take the Nuggets plus eight and a half at . Lean. Jokic and the points. Mile High basketball.
Lines as posted Thursday at 12:27 PM ET, after the Thursday injury check. Confirm them before tip.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in two legs. If Denver stays within eight and a half, Jokic is running the offense and racking up assists. Every leg needs the same game, so this is one position, not two bets.
The angleJokic runs the show and Denver keeps it close.
Build it at Fanatics →Fanatics prices same-game parlays in its own builder, so there is no price here. Build the legs there and check the number before you place it.
Price: check your sportsbook for SGP pricing. Lines as posted Thursday at 12:27 PM ET; confirm them before you build the ticket. This parlay is a Game Pick. Player props not available in all states.
Best Props for This Game
Bets beyond the spread, from either side. With one game played, the trends lean on last season. These are Game Pick props, separate bets from our pick, so keep them small.
He averaged 10.7 assists, and Denver runs everything through him.
- TrendOver 9.5 in 42 of 65 games last season, and 8 of his last 10
- MatchupHe had 14 and 13 assists in two of his three games against OKC
Plus money on a guy who averaged 25.4.
- TrendOver 22.5 in 46 of 75 games last season
- MatchupHe scored 39 and 21 in two of his three games against OKC
A low line for a veteran who averaged 4.1 assists.
- TrendOver 2.5 in 57 of 77 games last season, and 8 of his last 10
- MatchupDenver’s bench offense runs through him when Jokic sits
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