NBA Playoffs 2024/25, Round 2, Game 5, Wednesday, 14.05.2025, 03:30
The Bwin voucher is the perfect addition to your very own Thunder Nuggets tip for what is possibly the most exciting series in the 2025 NBA playoffs.
In my opinion, Denver could soon be in real trouble. If they lose again, they could quickly find themselves with their backs against the wall when they visit Oklahoma.
If you’re wondering who has the momentum in this series, just look at the Thunder’s body language.
The guys from OKC fought their way through Game 4 – not with their typical offense, but with pure determination and a defensive statement that visibly threw the two-time defending champions off their stride.
It wasn’t a shootout, it wasn’t a relaxed run-and-gun game, but a tough, intense 92-87 in which both teams had to fight for every single point over long stretches. And yet Oklahoma won it in the end.
That’s exactly the moment when you realize: They’re ready. Even though they’re one of the youngest teams in the NBA, they’re growing in exactly the right areas in these playoffs.
The decisive factor in Game 4 was once again Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The man may not be in his best shooting form at the moment, but when it matters, he’s there.
Nine points in the final quarter, plus responsibility, composure, and some very smart decisions in possession – that’s exactly what carried the Thunder through crunch time. Much more than Shai’s numbers, it’s the impression he leaves that counts: this guy is taking charge.
And he did it in a game where hardly any of his starters were able to deliver. When you get through nights like that, you’re not just talented – you’re a leader and a shoo-in for a player bet in any decent betting app.
On the other hand, it has to be said that Denver looks battered. It starts with their physical condition – Murray, Gordon, Porter Jr. and especially Jokic are grinding out around 40 minutes every game, and you can see that in them now.
The Nuggets are not a team that wins games from the bench. When the starters get tired, they lack fresh impetus. That was exactly what we saw in Game 4 – especially in the final minutes.
And then, of course, there’s the Jokic issue. Sure, 27 points and 13 rebounds sounds impressive, but the truth lies between the lines!
At times, the “Joker” seemed erratic, missed easy shots, didn’t score his first field goal until late in the game, and was constantly confronted with a physically aggressive defensive duo that robbed him of his rhythm.
When you shoot 7 for 22 from the field, you’re not in your flow – and that’s no longer an exception, but a trend in this series.
The big advantage for OKC: the depth we mentioned earlier. While Denver relies on its star players, the Thunder regularly gets punch from the bench.
In Game 4, it was Wiggins and Wallace who really made their presence felt with efficiency, commitment, and strong defense – so much so that Coach Daigneault left them out there.
It’s exactly these role players who make the difference in a long series because they can help decide games without being the center of attention. The Thunder have built up this depth throughout the season – and now they know how to use it.
As for any Thunder Nuggets bets, I would personally go for a low-scoring game again.
Under 222.5 points at odds of around 1.78 not only makes sense in this context, but would also be quite lucrative.
Furthermore, I am convinced that Jokic will not achieve a triple-double. In the handy Bet365 app, you can bet on “No!” at odds of around 1.40.
Conclusion: Game 5 will not be a walk in the park. Denver has experience, quality, and perhaps the best center in the world. But Oklahoma is currently the more complete team – aggressive on defense, versatile on offense, and, above all, mentally strong.
They have a very young rotation, but they play like a seasoned title contender. Add to that home-court advantage and the chance to tip the scales with a win.
If they manage to keep Jokic out of the game and dictate the pace in the second half, it will be brutally difficult for Denver to take anything away from this game.
That’s why one of my recommendations is that Jokic will score less than 27.5 points.
The defense around Holmgren and Co. will make life difficult for the Serbian once again – and OKC could be rewarded for its defensive intensity with an important 3-2 lead in the series.
My Thunder Nuggets tip: OKC wins with a handicap of -10.5.
