Oklahoma City Thunder defeat Denver Nuggets 96-84: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Thu, Oct 22, 2026 · NBA · Denver Nuggets 84, Oklahoma City Thunder 96
Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Denver Nuggets 96-84 on Thursday at Paycom Center, covering the -8.5 spread and finishing under 236.5.
Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder final score and game recap
Denver led 27-24 after the first quarter and maintained their advantage at halftime, leading 48-44. The Thunder outscored the Nuggets 26-16 in the third quarter to take a 70-64 lead, then extended their advantage with 26 fourth-quarter points to Denver's 20.
Aaron Gordon led Denver with 20 points and six rebounds. Nikola Jokic added 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. For Oklahoma City, Jalen Williams scored 21 points with five rebounds and three assists, while Chet Holmgren contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds.
Who covered the spread in Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?
Oklahoma City Thunder covered as -8.5 favorites, winning by 12 points. The spread remained unchanged from open to close. AiQ's pick of Denver Nuggets +7.5 at 59% confidence resulted in a loss.
Did Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder go over or under the total?
The game finished under 236.5 with 180 combined points. The total moved up one point from its 235.5 opening. AiQ's Under 236.5 pick at 52% confidence won.
How did AiQ's Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder predictions do?
AiQ finished 2-1 across graded picks:
- Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder -328 – WIN (+$30.49 on $100)
- Spread: Denver Nuggets +7.5 – LOSS
- Total: Under 236.5 – WIN
AiQ correctly identified the Thunder as the outright winner and the low-scoring nature of the contest, but missed the spread by 4.5 points.
Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game prop results: first quarter, team totals and first half
- First-quarter moneyline: Denver Nuggets won the first quarter (paid +145)
- Denver Nuggets team total 114.5: Under (paid -118); they scored 84
- First-quarter total 58.5: Under (paid -122); 51 points were recorded
- First-half total 115.5: Under (paid -112); the half produced 92 points
- Oklahoma City Thunder team total 122.5: Under (paid -108); they scored 96
- First-half moneyline: Denver Nuggets won the first half (paid +190)
- First-half spread: Denver Nuggets +4.5 covered (paid -110)
Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder odds: sportsbook value and line movement
The moneyline was Denver +265 and Oklahoma City -328, implying a 26% win probability for Denver and 74% for the Thunder after vigorish removal. The vig on the moneyline was 4.0%. AiQ's pre-game expected value calculation placed the Thunder at -3.8% using a -320 price from Fanatics, indicating negative expected value despite the side being favored. The market's implied 76% win probability versus AiQ's calibrated 73% reflects modest overconfidence in Oklahoma City's odds.
Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder betting trends: 2026-27 season
Denver Nuggets sit 0-1 overall with a 0-1 away/neutral record. They are 0-1 against the spread and 0-1 on the under/over. Oklahoma City Thunder are 2-0 overall, 1-0 at home and 1-0 away/neutral. They are 2-0 against the spread and 0-2 on the over/under, hitting the under in both contests. The Thunder are riding a two-game winning streak.
What's next for Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Nuggets host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, October 24. The Thunder host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, October 25.