NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions for Thursday, May 15

The second round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with only one matchup on the docket for this Thursday, but it’s going to be a good one, as Game 6 between the Thunder and Nuggets takes center stage at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 4 NBA picks tonight’s matchup. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Thursday, May 15.

NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Thursday, May 15

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Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Michael Porter Jr Over 14.5 PR
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Jalen Williams Over 9.5 RA
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Thunder -4.5
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Nikola Jokic Over 35.5 PA
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Thunder vs. Nuggets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Michael Porter Jr Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds (-105)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” awayname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” awayslug=”oklahoma-city-thunder” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png” homename=”Denver Nuggets” homeslug=”denver-nuggets” date=”Thursday, May 15″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”ESPN” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Joe Dellera

The Nuggets are on the ropes and one of the variables this series has been the health of Michael Porter Jr.’s shoulder.

He’s been able to receive some treatment on his shoulder, but it’s not an every day thing.

The last two games he’s gotten treatment have been prior to Game 7 against the Clippers and before Game 3 of this series.

With the season on the line tonight, I’d estimate that today is the day for it as well.

This is a number he could hit regardless with just scoring alone. However, if he’s feeling good, the rebounds are a nice boost here considering he’s averaged 6 this series anyway.

Pick: Michael Porter Jr Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds (-105)

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[teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#4″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Thunder vs. Nuggets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Jalen Williams Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists (-115)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” awayname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” awayslug=”oklahoma-city-thunder” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png” homename=”Denver Nuggets” homeslug=”denver-nuggets” date=”Thursday, May 15″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”ESPN” bookname=”bet365″ bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/859377_Bet365@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gameheader]

By Bryan Fonseca

My go-to Thunder prop of the season, and still in these playoffs.

Jalen Williams has gone over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists in six of his last nine games. His misses were at eight twice and nine once.

In this series, Williams has gone over in three of five, and this prop tends to have a high floor given that he’s seemingly always in the neighborhood.

Pick: Jalen Williams Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists (-115)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Thunder vs. Nuggets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Thunder -4.5 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” awayname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” awayslug=”oklahoma-city-thunder” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png” homename=”Denver Nuggets” homeslug=”denver-nuggets” date=”Thursday, May 15″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”ESPN” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Michael Fiddle

This cap is short and simple. The spread for the previous two games for Oklahoma City at Denver in this series were -6.5 and -7 in favor of the Thunder.

I understand the Nuggets have covered in three straight games, despite losing outright in two of them, but the few results of recent games does not outweigh the information the market holds.

There should not be a 2-point adjustment downward for OKC because of Nuggets covering and now walking on thin ice on the brink of elimination.

Take the Thunder for a full unit in Game 6 tonight.

Pick: Thunder -4.5 (-110)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Thunder vs. Nuggets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Nikola Jokic Over 35.5 Points + Assists (-125)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” awayname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” awayslug=”oklahoma-city-thunder” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png” homename=”Denver Nuggets” homeslug=”denver-nuggets” date=”Thursday, May 15″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”ESPN” bookname=”Fanatics Sportsbook” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/542724_Fanatics-banner-logo.png” bookreviewslug=”fanatics-sportsbook”][/gameheader]

By Joe Dellera

The Nuggets are on the brink of elimination, but they are going to be at home to trying to force a Game 7.

Jokic has been fairly inconsistent this series, in large part because it’s felt as if he’s out of rhythm against the nonstop defensive pressure from both Chet and Hartenstein.

However, he seemingly figured it out last game, where he went 17 of 25 from the field.

Jokic’s teammates also shot about as poorly as they possibly could last game, as he converted just 5 of his 20 potential assists.

With the Nuggets at home, I’d expect a few more of those to fall.

Jokic could clear this line with points alone, but the upside for assists makes this play tantalizing, even in a tough matchup against the Thunder.

Pick: Nikola Jokic Over 35.5 Points + Assists (-125)

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