The Denver Nuggets kick off their 2026-27 NBA season on Thursday, October 22, against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets, featuring their core trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, aim to bounce back after a challenging previous season. Meanwhile, the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, recently secured a 116-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, with SGA scoring 32 points.

As the season opener for the Nuggets, they enter this game as 8.5-point underdogs. The Thunder are favored to win the NBA championship at +240, while Denver's odds sit at +2500, tied for the seventh lowest in the league.

Game Details:

• Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
• Over/Under: 235.5 points
• Money Line: Thunder -325, Nuggets +260

The SportsLine Projection Model, which has accurately predicted outcomes for the past five seasons, has simulated this matchup 10,000 times. The model indicates that the Under (235.5) is a strong play, projecting a total of 231 points. This aligns with previous trends, as last season, 60.2% of Denver's games exceeded the total, while the Thunder's defense was rated best in the league.

Key insights from the model include:

• The Thunder's defensive length, featuring Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, poses significant challenges for Denver's offense.
• Both teams prefer methodical offensive setups, which may reduce scoring opportunities.

For those looking to make informed betting choices, the model suggests that one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. Check out SportsLine for complete picks and predictions.