The Oklahoma City Thunder can send the Denver Nuggets on early holidays tonight, Wednesday April 27th, in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarter-finals, at the Oklahoma City Arena. The Thunder lead the series 3-1 are 6-4 SU in their last ten against the Nuggets. NBA oddsmakers have the Thunder as -7 point home favourites over the Nuggets with the over/under set at 204 points. Be sure to check the Nuggets vs Thunder NBA Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Denver (1-3, 0-2 V) kept themselves alive after winning Game 4, 104-101 at home. Ty Lawson had a 27pt night while Danio Gallinari chipped in with 18pts. They produced more fast break points (10/5) and more points in the paint (30/28). With their hopes still alive, spirits are up and adjustments are down. The team is ready to take on the challenge of trying to extend the series tonight. "The mood is good right now," guard Ty Lawson said. "We got the monkey off of our back and put it on theirs. So we'll try to put a little pressure on them and get a game here, and go back home." The team believes it figured some things out in Game 4 on both the offensive and defensive ends that can continue to help it be successful. "We have a better idea of how to play them," Lawson said. "Try to put pressure on them, double them, get the ball out of their scorer's hands and everything else will take care of itself." Because of that, don't look for the team to change much going into tonight's game. But Coach George Karl knows the Thunder will have adjustments ready for his team. "I'm sure they are going to try and keep us away from the rim," Karl said. "Every team does that. A philosophy of NBA basketball is controlling the paint. I don't think we're going to change much. I think their defense is kind of… they've done a good job sometimes and sometimes they haven't. I think for us it's keep the pace and penetration there."
Oklahoma City (3-1, 2-0 H) might have a ball hog going into Game 5 tonight. There aren’t very many problems with having superstars on your team, but if there’s one, it’s that most superstars will always try to shoot themselves out of slump. And in Game 4, the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook scored 30pts, but did so by taking 30 shots, which can be too much for any star. He finished 12-for-30 from the field and missed all seven 3-point attempts. Westbrook finished with five assists on the night, countered by three turnovers, and shot three airballs during one of the Thunder’s key possessions down the stretch – with 7.9 seconds left. Give the Nuggets credit for playing good defense on Westbrook, who seemed visibly rattled. Coach Brooks primary complaint about Westbrook was location and not volume. Instead of attacking the basket, or even his best shooting range, Brooks thought Westbrook was settling too much for long jumpers.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Nuggets are 2-7 ATS in the last 9 meetings in Oklahoma City.
Nuggets are 1-4-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Thunder are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Thunder are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Northwest.
Nuggets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5.
Nuggets are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
Nuggets are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nuggets are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games.
Nuggets vs Thunder
When: Wednesday, April 27, 9:30 PM ET
Pick: Thunder -7
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NBA Point Spreads before Nuggets vs Thunder game.
The Bottom Line: The Thunder will do a better job of sharing the ball, thus sending the Nuggets packing. Be sure to check Nuggets vs Thunder Basketball Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
