Hoop fans have been treated to a classic back-and-forth affair of a series, and it’s going the full distance. Who advances to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Catch this game live on Thursday, May 19, 2025 at 3:30 AM, Manila time
AWAY: Denver Nuggets (3-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Jamal Murray
- Christian Braun
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Aaron Gordon (questionable)
- Nikola Jokic
This Nuggets core is two years removed from their championship, and this is also their third-consecutive playoff series that has reached a Game 7 (2024 2nd Rd. vs. MIN, 2025 1st Rd. vs. LAC), so by all means, the gang’s battle-tested. However, one added challenge they have is key forward Aaron Gordon being questionable due to his hamstring. He’s a competitor, though, and he’ll most likely play, but expect his movements to be limited.
With or without Gordon, look for the Nuggets to showcase its championship DNA. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will remain as one heck of a clutch and productive duo, and they’re surrounded by capable role players, like Christian Braun, who’s coming off a 23-point Game 6, and Julian Strawther, whose confidence may be through the roof after also showing up big in Game 6 (15 pts in the 2nd half).
Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Wesbtrook will be wildcards, with the former shooting just 6-of-23 over his last three games in the series, and the latter being quite unpredictable in his decision-making.
Denver is averaging 108.5 PPG in the series.
HOME: Oklahoma City Thunder (0-1)
Projected Starting Five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
- Isaiah Hartenstein
The young Thunder will be in the biggest games of their lives, and how they respond will be an intriguing watch, especially with top 2024-25 MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking to further his status in the league.
After a rough Game 3, the team responded with wins in Games 4 and 5, which gave them a series lead. However, they ran out of steam in Game 6 and couldn’t close it out – now here we are, awaiting if they can dig deep to stay alive.
SGA leads the way with 28.8 PPG in the series, and he’ll be at the forefront as per usual. No. 2 man Jalen Williams is only at 16.5 PPG, and is on the heels of a 3-of-16 shooting disasterclass in Game 6 (also just 33.7% in the series) – he ought to be on a mission to redeem himself. The big man tandem of the shot-blocking, sweet-shooting Chet Holmgren and veteran Isiah Hartenstein will lead the front court, and they remain to have a tough task in containing Jokic, alongside touted wing defenders Alex Caruso and Lu Dort.
OKC is averaging 113.8 PPG in the series.
PICKS:
Spread: Nuggets (+8)
Over/Under: Over (213)
