The Western Conference Semifinal battle between the top candidates to win NBA MVP this year continues on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets (4) are coming off a stunning Game 1 upset, while 2025 MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder (1) need a Game 2 victory at home to re-establish control of this series.
More than anything, it was Oklahoma City’s lack of an answer for Jokic that allowed the Nuggets to keep the series opener tight (and eventually win it).
Jokic finished Monday night’s battle with 42 points, 22 rebounds and 6 assists. If he remains the best player on the court throughout this series, Denver will have a real chance at sending the clear betting favorites to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy home early.
Nuggets vs. Thunder Series Winner Odds
- FanDuel: DEN +270; OKC -335
- DraftKings: DEN +235; OKC -290
Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 2 Betting Odds
How to Watch Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 2
- Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: TNT/truTV/Max
Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 2 Player Props
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds (+102 at FanDuel) — 1 unit
The question tonight when choosing the best player prop is not who to target (that would clearly be Jokic), but which of his props to bet.
As incredible as Jokic was vs. OKC in Game 1, with 42 pts, 22 rebs and 6 assists, his huge Game 1 vs. Thunder bigs Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren hardly came out of nowhere.
While Hartenstein held Jokic to 3-for-9 shooting when the two were matched up, Jokic went 8-for-13 when guarded by Holmgren (though the latter was credited with guarding Jokic on four of his seven turnovers).
Below is a look at Jokic’s numbers in five games vs. the Thunder this year, starting with Game 1 of this series earlier this week:
Nikola Jokic 2024-25 Game-by-Game Stats vs. Thunder
As those numbers show, Jokic’s ceiling in every stat (including PRA: total points + rebounds + assists) is massive. That being said, the safest bet tonight is Jokic over 13.5 rebounds.
Jokic’s 22-rebound night (5 offensive, 17 defensive) in Game 1 spoke for itself. Still, it’s worth noting that he pulled down just over 11 percent of the available offensive rebounds while he was on the court and 35 percent of the defensive rebounds, per Basketball Reference.
Most of Jokic’s defensive boards were uncontested on Monday night, as he finished the first half with a dozen rebounds (3 offensive, 9 defensive). Defensive boards should remain easy for Jokic to corral as OKC prioritizes getting back on defense to prevent the Nuggets from running.
With all this in mind, a half-unit on Jokic to record 15 rebounds (+155 at bet365) is another good idea here.
Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 2 Pick, Best Bets
The Nuggets might be due for a letdown in their third game in six days following Game 7 vs. the Clippers last Saturday and Game 1 of this series on Monday.
I’ll believe the Thunder can blow out the veteran Nuggets when I see it, though, especially if Jokic continues to have his way in the paint — and I don’t see either Holmgren or Hartenstein putting the clamps on him anytime soon.
In a tough-to-predict Game 2, give me Oklahoma City to come out hot and win the first quarter by at least 4 points.
Let’s also go with the Over, as four of the five meetings between these teams (with the Oct. 24 matchup being the exception) went over tonight’s total of 229.5, including three that reached a total of at least 240.
Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 2 Best Bets:
- Thunder 1Q -3.5 (-122 at FD) — 0.5 units
- Over 229.5 (-110 at DK) — 0.5 units
Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator’s terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
The post Best Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 2 Player Props, ATS Bets: OKC Heavily Favored appeared first on Newsweek.
