NBA Playoffs Series Preview: Thunder vs Nuggets
The highly anticipated Western Conference semifinals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets is set to tip off on Monday, May 5. The matchup features two of the league’s top teams, with the Thunder seeking to build on their impressive regular season and the Nuggets looking to make a deep playoff run.
According to the NBA’s official website, the series promises to be an exciting one, with the Thunder and Nuggets having a rich history of competition. The two teams split their four regular-season meetings this year and have won two playoff series each in their previous encounters.
The series will be a battle of two of the league’s top players, with Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, the presumptive MVP winners. As noted by the NBA, this is a rare occurrence in the playoffs, with the last time two MVP finalists faced each other in a postseason series being in 2017.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, will look to lead the Thunder to their first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2016. Jokić, on the other hand, will aim to use his impressive all-around skills to propel the Nuggets to another deep playoff run. The NBA’s website highlights the contrast between the two players, with Gilgeous-Alexander having a strong supporting cast, while Jokić often has to carry the Nuggets to victories.
The series schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: Nuggets at Thunder (Mon. May 5, 9:30 ET, TNT)
- Game 2: Nuggets at Thunder (Wed. May 7, 9:30 ET, TNT)
- Game 3: Thunder at Nuggets (Fri. May 9, 10 ET, ESPN)
- Game 4: Thunder at Nuggets (Sun. May 11, 3:30 ET, ABC)
- Game 5: Nuggets at Thunder (TBD)*
- Game 6: Thunder at Nuggets (TBD)*
- Game 7: Nuggets at Thunder (TBD)*
The NBA notes that one key storyline to watch will be the performance of Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who has a reputation for elevating his game in the playoffs. Murray, who has averaged 18 points per game in the regular season, has increased his scoring average to 24 points per game in the playoffs.
Another key aspect of the series will be the Thunder’s defense, which ranked first overall in defensive efficiency during the regular season. As highlighted by the NBA, the Thunder have a versatile defense that can guard big or small, with players like Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Chet Holmgren.
The Nuggets, on the other hand, will look to survive when Jokić is not on the court. According to the NBA, the Nuggets have struggled in "non-Jokić minutes" throughout his career, and it will be crucial for them to find a way to maintain their offense when he is resting.
In terms of a prediction, the NBA’s website suggests that the Thunder will win the series in five games. The Thunder’s youth, depth, and tight defense are seen as advantages over the Nuggets, who may be a little fatigued after their Game 7 win over the Clippers.
Overall, the series promises to be an exciting and closely contested one, with both teams having a strong chance of advancing to the Western Conference Finals. As noted by the NBA, it will be a battle of two of the league’s top teams, with the winner advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
