NBA Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
Tuesday, 12/17/13, 9:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma City -1.5
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma City -2
Opening Total: 207
Current Total: 206.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Denver Nuggets are 5-1 SUATS as home underdogs of three or fewer points the last two-plus seasons

Oklahoma City has won six games in a row by an average of 15.2 points, including a 101-98 victory over the Orlando Magic as 13-point home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 205.5. The Thunder are a dominating 14-1 this season when out-rebounding an opponent, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks Tuesday night. The bench has also been a major contributor, as it’s averaging 33.7 points per game. Oklahoma City is 19-0 SU and 12-7 ATS as a favorite this season, with the OVER going 10-9 in that situation.

The Thunder are 7-4 SU on the road this season, but all four losses have come against Western Conference opponents, which is hard to ignore when looking over the NBA betting lines. Oklahoma City continues to be led by star forward Kevin Durant on the offensive end, as he’s averaging 28.5 points per game. Point guard Russell Westbrook continues to be the No. 2 option on that end of the floor, as he’s contributing 21.0 points a contest.

Denver has won three of its last four games, including a 102-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans as 7.5-point home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total for the sixth time in seven contests. The Nuggets have four probable starters averaging in double figures, with point guard Ty Lawson leading the way at 18.0 points and 7.8 assists per game. The franchise has won nine of its last 11 games at the Pepsi Center in this series. Denver is 5-1 SUATS as a home underdog of three or fewer points since the 2011-12 campaign.

The Nuggets are also capable of scoring with their bench on the floor, as the unit ranks third in the NBA in averaging 44.7 points and first in grabbing 20.3 rebounds per game. Denver’s bench has outscored its counterpart in 20 of 23 contests. Guard Nate Robinson is a major player out of that group, as he’s scored 10 or more points in 12 of his last 15 games, including two 20-point performances over that span.