Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 10/24/24

There is a lot of buzz about Oklahoma City coming into this season, and it is totally justified. This team has everything it needs to win and is no longer considered too young to do so. Top scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the lead dog, a combination MVP candidate and possible NBA scoring champ. He is flanked, by length and skill all over the court. This team can beat you with offense and defense. It depends on the night. 

Denver may have just signed forward Aaron Gordon to an extension, but the fate of the Nuggets resides with center Nikola Jokic remaining the best player in the NBA. I doubt he has lost his touch so even though the margins of this team look a little different I am confident they are rightly among the contenders as the season starts. Guard Jamal Murray and forward Michael Porter Jr. are the swing players. When both are on top of their games, this club is hard to beat.

Denver is the home favorite, even though the outlook is higher for the Thunder this season. This is the “opening game” I have been waiting for, and I think we will get a good show from two very strong teams. Denver is looking to break a three-game losing streak against the Thunder so there is that too. It might be early, but I expect each team to give a maximum effort. You can make an easy argument for the small upset, but it is even easier to go with the home side, especially because Denver is so good at home and the spread is small. 

Denver -2.5 available at publishing.