The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder are set to battle in Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals matchup at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on May 13, 2025, at 9:30 PM ET. The series is currently tied 2-2, making this a pivotal game as both teams look to gain the upper hand in the race to the Western Conference Finals.
Team Breakdown & Key Players
Denver Nuggets (4th Seed, 50-32 Regular Season Record)
- Last Five Games: Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Win
- Road Record: 21-20
- Key Players:
- Nikola Jokić – The three-time MVP is averaging 24.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG, and 7.2 APG in the playoffs.
- Jamal Murray – Needs to step up offensively, averaging 19.8 PPG, 5.6 APG, but facing tough defensive matchups.
- Michael Porter Jr. – A key scoring threat, averaging 20 PPG, 9 RPG, and shooting 45.3% from the field.
Oklahoma City Thunder (1st Seed, 68-14 Regular Season Record)
- Last Five Games: Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win
- Home Record: 34-7
- Key Players:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – The MVP finalist is averaging 27.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 5.8 APG in the playoffs.
- Jalen Williams – A rising star, contributing 18.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and playing elite defense.
- Chet Holmgren – A defensive anchor, averaging 14.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 2.3 BPG.
Game Analysis & Predictions
- Nuggets’ Strategy: Denver needs Jokić and Murray to dominate offensively while their defense contains Gilgeous-Alexander.
- Thunder’s Strategy: Oklahoma City must capitalize on their home-court advantage and maintain their defensive intensity, which limited Denver to 31.3% shooting in Game 4.
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets 221
Oklahoma City Thunder – 10
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, May 12, 2025
