The Denver Nuggets are back to their winning ways, now winners of three straight and on the mend health wise, the Nuggets are looking like they did early in the year when they last had their full compliment of players. They’ll still be without defensive ace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tonight but otherwise it’s all hands on deck. Threatening their win streak tonight is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Make no mistake, these are not your slightly older brother’s Thunder. After falling short in the play-in tournament last year, the Thunder currently sit as the three seed in the West this season. They have all the parts of a championship contender in the making. Led by young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the thunder have a talented roster that also includes Josh Giddey, rookie phenom Chet Holmgren and a number of high quality role players who fit perfectly in Oklahoma City’s system. No doubt the Nuggets have a challenge in front of them tonight.
The Essentials
Who: Denver Nuggets (17-9) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (15-8)
When: 7:00 PM MST
Where: The Can. Denver, CO.
How to watch/listen: Denver Stiffs does not condone piracy….unless it’s the romanticized 18th century type. Altitude TV where available (Altitude TV is available on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream & Fubo TV). NBA League pass for those not in the Nuggets market. Altitude Radio 92.5FM. Show up in a 2007 Ford F150 completely decked out with Christmas lights and convince the loading dock staff that this year’s Parade of Lights in fact runs right through the back halls of Ball Arena.
Rival Blog: Daily Thunder (RIP Welcome To Loud City)
The Matchup
| Position | Nuggets | Thunder | Advantage |
| PG | Jamal Murray | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder |
| SG | Justin Holiday | Josh Giddey | Thunder |
| SF | Michael Porter Jr. | Lugeuntz Dort | Nuggets |
| PF | Aaron Gordon | Jalen Williams | Nuggets |
| C | Nikola Jokic | Chet Holmgren | Nuggets |
| Bench | Reggie Jackson, Julian Strawther, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan | Jay Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Kenrich Williams, Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace | Even |
Injury report: Jamal Murray – probable (ankles), Aaron Gordon – probable (heel), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – out (concussion), Vlatko Cancar – out (knee), Jalen Pickett – out (G-League), Jay Huff – out (G-League), Braxton Key – out (G-League); Keyontae Johnson – out (G-League)
The Three Things
The thing to watch for: Jamal Murray vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Nov 3, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) on a drive to the basket during the second half at Paycom Center. Denver won 122-110. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
A battle of two premier scoring guards tonight. Jamal is still working back from his ankle sprains but looks springier and springier with every game. It feels like a 30+ point night from him could come at any moment. Meanwhile SGA continues to be one of the premier guards in the NBA and a top 10 player in the league. Tonight may be a scenario where these two guys offset each other by trying to out score one another. Don’t be surprised as well if both teams elect to defend the point guard position with one of their other wings. Justin Holiday probably gets matched up with SGA often whereas Jamal might see a lot of the bigger Giddey and the defensive stalwart Luguentz Dort.
The thing to remember: The Nuggets blew the doors off this team in their home opener
This is the second meeting between Denver and OKC and the first meeting was all Nuggets. Denver came into Oklahoma City and handed out a 128-95 beatdown that still stands as the Nuggets largest margin of victory thus far this season. To add insult to injury, the Nuggets did this on the Thunder’s home opener. Count me among those that think this one will be much tighter with OKC even looking for some revenge. Now, Denver is probably the hardest place to play for an opponent in the NBA right now so I’m not saying the Nuggets will lose, but I’m not expecting a near 30 point blowout either.
The thing to bet: Nikola Jokic SGP over 29.5 points & 9.5 rebounds (+110)
With Joker going up against Chet I like him to have a big night down low with some bully ball and to get into plus territory on the odds I’ll turn points + rebounds into a single game parlay. You can also bet the simple over 41.5 points + rebounds and get -110 odds. In the previous contest between the two teams Joker had 28 points and 14 rebounds. I think he’s in that territory again and I’ll bank on him getting the 30 burger in points. 10+ rebounds feels like a foregone conclusion.
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