Thunder at Nuggets Betting Tips: Picks & Odds

Following a 24-1 start, the Oklahoma City Thunder looked unbeatable and a virtual lock to win their second consecutive world championship.

Instead, Oklahoma City slumped from that point, even failing to win the NBA Cup despite being favored to do so. Most importantly, Oklahoma City lost its once highly reliable betting value and splashed gamblers with red ink.

Recently, Oklahoma City has been taking gamblers on a roller coaster ride, but has stabilized on the hardwood, winning games consistently but often not covering the NBA spread.

The Denver Nuggets have shown better wagering value, holding their own against the oddsmakers, though they've struggled to win straight up. The problem is that Nikola Jokic is out and unlikely to return until early February at best.

The Thunder and Nuggets are in the second game of an NBC Sunday night doubleheader. As perennial powers and recent champions, they will draw plenty of viewers and gamblers.

Thunder at Nuggets Preview

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, the Denver Nuggets will host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena in Denver, CO. Tipoff time is 9:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.

Public Betting Odds Factors

The Thunder could be a strong value as an elite road team getting going up against a top-contending host.

Denver will also get a better price than normal at home, going up against the defending NBA champions, who are favored to repeat.

Thunder at Nuggets Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider

Oklahoma City has a distinct marquee man advantage with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the lineup, as Denver is missing Nikola Jokic.

Oklahoma City is in good recent form on the road, while Denver is not getting the money in recent home games.

Long term, Oklahoma City has had the better value in games at Denver.

Thunder at Nuggets Prime Best Bet: Oklahoma City Thunder

Thunder at Nuggets Betting Tips

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City has NBA metrics of 1^st for scoring offense, 3^rd for field goal percentage, 14^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 2^nd for free throw percentage, and 19^th for offensive rebounding.

On defense, the Thunder have NBA metrics of 1^st for scoring defense, 1^st for field goal percentage permitted, 27^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 24^th for defensive rebounding.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 38-10 straight up, 23-25 against the spread, and 24-24 over/under the total.

Oklahoma City has covered the NBA odds in four out of its last eight games.

The Thunder have gone over the total in four of its previous six matchups.

Oklahoma City is 1st in the Western Conference playoff standings. San Antonio is six games behind the Thunder in the Western Conference playoff race.

Denver Nuggets

Denver has NBA metrics of 2nd for scoring offense, 1^st for field goal percentage, 1^st for 3-point field goal percentage, 3^rd for free throw percentage, and 24th for offensive rebounding.

On defense, the Nuggets have NBA metrics of 17^th for scoring defense, 17^th for field goal percentage permitted, 10^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 11^th for defensive rebounding.

The Denver Nuggets are 31-16 straight up, 28-19 against the spread, and 28-19 over/under the total.

Denver has covered two out of their last four games.

The Nuggets have gone under the total in four of its previous five matchups.

Denver is 3^rd in the Western Conference playoff standings. Denver is 6.5 games behind the Thunder in the Western Conference playoff race.

Thunder at Nuggets Head-to-Head and Key Stats

Denver has covered the spread in 14 out of their last 20 games against Oklahoma City.

The Nuggets and Nuggets went over the total in four of their last five meetings.

Specifically in Denver, the Thunder failed to cover the spread against the Nuggets in their four most recent visits after covering the eight visits before that.