Sunday afternoon will mark the conclusion of an outstanding Western Conference semifinal series between the Nuggets and Thunder.
After a back-and-forth first six games with many twists and turns, the two West powers will square off in an all-or-nothing Game 7 to see who meets the Minnesota Timberwolves in the WCF.
OKC has the talent, while the Nuggets have the experience. And ESPN‘s Computer model has predicted which it thinks will win out come 3:30 PM ET.
According to ESPN Analytics, the network‘s matchup predictor has the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder as overwhelming favorites at home — giving them a 66.6% chance to advance to the Western Conference Finals to Denver’s 33.4%.
The 2023 NBA champs are expected to be down veteran forward Aaron Gordon, who sustained a Grade 2 hamstring strain and could potentially be out for weeks.
Gordon was averaging 14.5 points, 9.2 rebounds nearly four assists and two steals while shooting 45% from deep this series.
Now the Nuggets will have to rely even more heavily on three-time MVP Nikola Jokic whose struggled a bit from the field at times this series but is still averaging 30-15-6 overall.
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The Thunder have one of the best homecourt advantages in the NBA with the college-like atmosphere at Paycom Center and Sunday figures to be no different.
Oklahoma City is also an 8.5-point favorite to win Game 7, per ESPNBET, with a -320 moneyline.
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