Filip Tomic
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It’s the 3rd day of the NBA season and we have a match-up between two teams who finished atop of the Western Conference last season as the OKC Thunder take on the Denver Nuggets. Tip-off is at 10 pm ET, live on TNT. I’ve prepared a Same Game Parlay to spice things up.
For spread and total picks on all 4 games taking place this Thursday, simply head over to our NBA Picks page.
Let’s dive into my SGP bet now!
DEN Nuggets -2.5 Point Spread (-108)
Michael Porter Jr. Over 2.5 Made Threes (-140)
Alex Caruso to Record 2+ Steals (-130)
Same Game Parlay odds: +378
DEN Nuggets -2.5 Point Spread (-108)
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.
Read our full Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets prediction
Michael Porter Jr. Over 2.5 Made Threes (-140)
His size and length combined with his ability to shoot from distance has been a problem for opposing defenses for years now. Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 19.1 points per game in the last 9 meetings with the Thunder, shooting the lights out at 45.6% from downtown. Similarly to his teammates Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, he too is looking to bounce back following a dismal performance in the series against Minnesota where he averaged just 10.7 points per game and scored in single digits in 5 of the 7 games played. Failing to keep the Mavericks at bay from three-point land cost the Thunder their season last year, some of those issues might arise early on this year too, I’m counting on Porter Jr. to have a big game here.
Alex Caruso to Record 2+ Steals (-130)
Acquiring Alex Caruso this offseason was one of the best moves made by any team in the NBA. He brings in veteran leadership and defensive tenacity to a young Thunder team which is expected to compete for a place in the NBA Finals once again. The 30 year old is one of the better perimeter defenders in the league, he comes into tonight’s game on a streak of at least 1 steal in 5 consecutive games against the Nuggets, while averaging 1.4 steals per game during that span. Denver finished last season allowing opposing teams to steal the ball 7 times from them on average per game, ranking 10th in the NBA. Let’s hope Caruso can make a good impression in his Thunder debut and steal a couple of basketballs.
