NBA Playoff Highlights: Thunder vs. Nuggets Score, Schedule, and Odds – OKC Sets New Record in Dominant Game 2 Victory!

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a stunning victory against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their playoff series, winning by 43 points. This win was particularly impressive as the Thunder scored a record-tying 87 points in the first half, marking the first home win in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Previously, home teams had lost six games, including one where the Thunder suffered a heartbreaking defeat from Aaron Gordon’s buzzer-beater.

In the first round, the Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies effortlessly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, though not shooting at his best, managed to average 27.8 points per game. He aims to lead the Thunder back to the conference finals for the first time since 2016.

On the other hand, the Nuggets had a tough battle, needing seven games to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers. Nikola Jokić averaged a remarkable triple-double in that series with 24 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.1 assists, while Jamal Murray contributed 22.9 points per game. The Nuggets are making their sixth second-round appearance in seven years, following a mid-season coaching change. Interim coach David Adelman, who took over from Michael Malone, has surprisingly achieved more playoff wins than regular-season wins.

A fascinating aspect of their playoff journey is how teams evolve over time. In the past, playoff performances depended heavily on a single superstar. Now, we see more focus on teamwork and depth, as evidenced by both these franchises. For instance, in the last decade, data from Statista indicates a 20% rise in the number of teams employing a balanced roster strategy, shifting away from teams reliant solely on a top player.

As the Thunder and Nuggets continue their playoff journey, fan engagement has surged on social media. Hashtags like #ThunderUp and #MileHighBasketball are trending, showcasing the heightened excitement around the playoffs this year.

The upcoming games in the series are highly anticipated:

• Game 1: Nuggets 121, Thunder 119
• Game 2: Thunder 149, Nuggets 106 (Series tied 1-1)
• Game 3: Friday, May 9, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 4: Sunday, May 11, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
• Game 5: Tuesday, May 13, time TBD
• Game 6: Thursday, May 15, time TBD
• Game 7: Sunday, May 18, time TBD

As for the odds, they currently favor the Thunder by 4.5 points for Game 3, with the over/under set at 233.5 points. The series odds stand at Thunder -450 and Nuggets +350.

For the latest updates and analysis, check out CBS Sports for real-time coverage throughout the playoffs.

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