NBA Northwest Division Odds: Nuggets Given Slight Edge Over Thunder

• The Denver Nuggets have a one game lead in the Northwest Division
• The Oklahoma City Thunder are in second place; one year after losing the division by one game
• The Nuggets own the best home record in the NBA (23-4) and play six of their next seven at the Pepsi Center

The NBA’s Northwest Division is a dogfight between the Denver Nuggets (37-18) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (36-19). Sportsbooks have odds on who will the division and the good news is the prices are very different. If you like the Nuggets to come out on top, some books are offering a better payout.

2019 Northwest Division Odds

*Odds taken 2/11

With only a one-game lead on the surging Thunder, the odds offer a nice payout if you think the Nuggets will hold on to win the division crown. On the flip side, other books rate the Nuggets more heavily.

This is proof why having betting accounts on multiple sites can give you an advantage. The Thunder are giving a better price at one, while the Nuggets will earn you a better pay day at another. Here’s a breakdown of the two options as well as our pick to win it.

Will the Denver Nuggets Be Northwest Division Champs?

There are two reasons to love the Nuggets. Number 1 is they are the best home team in the NBA, with a record of 23-4 at the Pepsi Center.

? "We can't rely on just being home to get wins. We have to play with the right mentality to go home and protect our court." #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/iSQRritSil

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 9, 2019

The Nuggets play six of their next seven at home and should snap their current three-game losing streak tonight when they host Miami. During this home stretch they also host OKC and have a prime opportunity to extend the division lead. Another big bonus for Denver will be the debut of Isaiah Thomas, who is finally healthy and ready to contribute. The Nuggets were quiet at the deadline, opting not to over pay for a rental and instead figured the in-house addition of Thomas could be enough to put them over the top.

The other reason to lean towards the Nuggets is one of the best draft picks in NBA history, Nikola Jokic. Picked in the second round, 41st overall back in 2014, Jokic has developed into one of the game’s biggest stars. He’s averaging 20.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, which is three more assists per game than the next best center in the league.

The Case for OKC in the Northwest Division

If you like stars, you’ll likely fade the Nuggets and side with Paul George and Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder. They are on a tear, winning nine of their last 10 games, closing the gap in the division to just one game. Westbrook is on pace for his third straight triple-double season with 21.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 11.2 assists. The best part about those numbers? He’s probably the Thunder’s second best player.

#PaulGeorge – 45 points. #RussellWestbrook – 9th consecutive triple double. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/gyqrsrgVQw

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 10, 2019

George has flourished alongside Westbrook in a position others have struggled with. The pair are one of the league’s most dynamic duos and are consistently posing matchup problems for opponents.

Who Will Win the Division?

Aside from this recent mini-slump, the Nuggets have given little reason to doubt they can capture the crown. A balanced offense plus the debut of Thomas should give them enough to hold on.

One other thing to consider? The Thunder lost out on the division crown last year by one game after a team lead by Westbrook and George couldn’t come out on top. Expect a similar result in 2019.

Pick: Denver Nuggets (+150)