The 2025 NBA playoffs have concluded their first round, setting the stage for an exhilarating conference semifinal stage. The Denver Nuggets are gearing up to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in an anticipated Game 1 matchup featuring two MVP frontrunners: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. The Thunder are favored by 9.5 points with an over/under of 225.5, suggesting a high-scoring affair is on the horizon.

Expert Jimmie Kaylor has made five bold picks for the matchup, highlighting Denver’s championship experience and projecting them to keep the game close. He anticipates Michael Porter Jr. to score over 13 points, benefiting from a favorable matchup. Similarly, Jalen Williams of Oklahoma City is projected to surpass 18 points, while Jokic is expected to record a triple-double, continuing his impressive postseason form. The synergy between offensive prowess and playoff intensity promises fans an electric Game 1.

The Denver Nuggets have their work cut out for them as they face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, having just come off a grueling seven-game series against the Clippers. Game 1 kicks off on May 5, and the Nuggets must find a way to capitalize on their strengths against an elite Thunder defense.

Michael Porter Jr. emerges as a pivotal player for Denver, boasting an impressive average of 20 points and 9 rebounds per game against Oklahoma City during the regular season. His ability to perform consistently, especially considering his injury, will be critical for the Nuggets to upset the odds.

On the other hand, Jamal Murray's performance will also be under scrutiny. Facing strong perimeter defenders like Lu Dort and Jalen Williams, Murray needs to replicate his peak form from earlier playoff games to help the Nuggets keep pace with the Thunder's formidable lineup led by MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Denver Nuggets face the Los Angeles Clippers in a decisive Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round series. With a history of clutch performances, the Nuggets aim to capitalize on their experience, having gone 2-1 in previous Game 7s since 2019. Key to this matchup will be stopping Clippers' stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, who combined for 55 points in Game 6. Harden's prop line of 21.5 points will attract attention from bettors.

Christian Braun, averaging 11.2 points in the series, may be a savvy bet for over 10.5 points given his recent form. Michael Porter Jr. is also poised to make an impact, with the model projecting him for over 15.5 points plus rebounds. However, Nikola Jokic's production has waned, with a projection under 28.5 points, leading to questions about his performance against this tough Clippers defense.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets are set to clash in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series with both teams tied at 2-2. The Nuggets secured a critical Game 4 victory, highlighted by Aaron Gordon's buzzer-beater dunk following Nikola Jokic's miss, which leveled the series. Jokic, the three-time MVP, is averaging impressive numbers in the series but has gone under his PRA prop line of 51.5 three times. The Clippers are slight favorites at -125 to win.

In the betting landscape, the SportsLine model offers insights into player props for this matchup. Among the top picks are Michael Porter Jr. over 12.5 points, Ivica Zubac under 12.5 rebounds, and Nikola Jokic under 51.5 PRA. Porter Jr. has shown promise, exceeding his points line in four out of five recent underdog games. Zubac has been effective but struggles against poorer defenses.

In a thrilling showdown, the Denver Nuggets edged out the Los Angeles Clippers 101-99, tying their playoff series at 2-2. Aaron Gordon's sensational buzzer-beater, a dunk off a deflected Nikola Jokic shot, highlighted a game that saw the Nuggets nearly squander a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter. Tensions flared during a significant scuffle involving Gordon, Christian Braun, and James Harden, resulting in technical fouls for several players, including Jokic and Norman Powell. Michael Porter Jr.'s impulsive bench exit during the altercation has raised concerns about a potential suspension for Game 5, as he was seen straying too far from the bench, violating NBA rules on player conduct during fights.