Oklahoma City (38-21) at Denver (41-18)
When: Tuesday, February 26th, 2019
Where: Pepsi Center,
Denver, Colorado
Time: 10:35 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Denver -4.5/235
Anyone who sits around and talks about the Western Conference and the teams that could go to the NBA Finals, always start out by talking about Golden State, Oklahoma City, Houston, and even the Los Angeles Lakers. But the Denver Nuggets are starting to make believers out of everyone with their solid play this season and have inched closer to the top of the standings. They will host the Thunder on Tuesday night, and are just one game behind Golden State entering Monday’s action – the Warriors play at Charlotte. The Nuggets have reeled-off four consecutive victories – including a 123-96 win over the L.A. Clippers Sunday – after a three-game road skid in the beginning of this month. Oklahoma City is lurking and will enter Tuesday’s contest just three games behind the Nuggets, but are coming off a 119-116 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. The Thunder may have been a little tired after defeating the Utah Jazz 148-147 in double-overtime the night before as forward Paul George scored just 14 points on 4-of-19 shooting against the Kings after producing 45 points and making the game-winning shot versus the Jazz. Denver has handled the Thunder so far this season, holding them to 98 points in each of their two victories over them and have defeated Oklahoma City four straight times.
George did not want to make any excuses for his play against the Kings despite playing 50 minutes the night before against Utah, saying “It was tough, but it’s no excuse. Russell Westbrook picked up the scoring slack against Sacramento, pouring in 41 points for his third straight 40-point performance. Westbrook has failed to record a triple-double in back-to-back games after setting the NBA record with 11 in a row prior to the Utah game. Oklahoma City will be back home on Thursday night to entertain the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Nuggets dominated the Clippers on Sunday, outrebounding L.A. 56-38, while All-Star Nikola Jokic (22 points, 16 rebounds) and Paul Millsap (21 points, 16 boards) led the way. While Jokic has been playing at an MVP-type caliber all season, Millsap has been playing well of late, recording three straight double-doubles and is averaging 21 points and 14 rebounds during the stretch. Denver has been terrific at home this season, posting a 26-4 record and 21-9 against the spread mark. They will host the Jazz on Thursday as part of their four-game homestand.
I really like this Denver team and they have owned the Thunder lately, covering the spread in seven straight meetings and holding Westbrook to 14.5 points and 28.9 percent shooting in the two meetings this season. I’ll take the Nuggets.
Pick: Nuggets -3
Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Thunder are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.
Thunder are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Thunder are 10-23 ATS in their last 33 vs. NBA Northwest.
Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Nuggets are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 home games.
Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 7-0 in Thunder last 7 Tuesday games.
Over is 7-1 in Thunder last 8 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 road games.
Under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-2-1 in Thunder last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 44-19 in Thunder last 63 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 40-18 in Thunder last 58 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 20-9 in Thunder last 29 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 13-6 in Thunder last 19 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 8-2 in Nuggets last 10 home games.
Under is 4-1 in Nuggets last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 21-9 in Nuggets last 30 vs. NBA Northwest.
Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
Thunder are 0-7 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Underdog is 8-0 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
