NBA Basketball
2025-05-13 - Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball Playoff Second Round Game 5
Tuesday 13th May 2025 - Scheduled 9:30pm
2:30am (British Time)
Preview
Are there fatigue issues at play in this Series?
Playing in Denver is always tough, but back to back games hosted by the Nuggets and the early start for the Game 4 clash all factored into the performance of the two teams. There is a bit more rest time before Game 5, which is played back in Oklahoma City, and the top Seed in the Western Conference showed they can win 'clutch' games just as much as they can blow teams away.
This could be a pivotal moment for the Thunder who have to be very happy with how they are performing Defensively, especially with room for improvement on the Offensive side of the court. They have not found it easy against this Championship-hardened Denver team and aside from the Game 2 blowout, it has been an Offensive struggle for the Thunder.
They can thank their Defensive intensity for levelling up this Series and Oklahoma City have to be excited with the way they have controlled and contained Nikola Jokic. You are never going to shut him down, but the Thunder are forcing turnovers and not allowing Jokic to feel any kind of comfort on the court, which is leading to the Serb to push a little too hard.
Denver know they need Nikola Jokic at his best with the others around him contributing in fits and spots, but not showing the consistency that may be needed to win this Series.
The under has been the play in the last two games as the accumulation of basketball has built up and that may be the case again in Game 5.
You can never tell when the Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to produce an Offensive masterclass, but it has been a tough Series for the top Seed. Memories of 2024 are perhaps weighing them down a little bit too and both Defensive units will feel they can put enough stops on the board to give their team an opportunity of winning.
The total number has dipped significantly from Game 3, but it may not have gone far enough to avoid a third straight 'under' from coming through.
Prediction
Look for the two teams to combine for fewer than the total points line set.
The Pick :
Oklahoma City Thunder 110-99 Denver Nuggets
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Under 221 Total Points at -110 with Bovada
