The Thunder are the best team in the NBA and by far the best team in this series. Don't let Denver's Game 1 comeback divert your attention from what we saw in Game 2, when OKC blew the doors off. That's the real gap that exists between these teams. Too much OKC defense and depth, and not nearly a big enough spread here. Double-digit win for OKC.

Aaron Gordon grabbed 14 rebounds in Game 1 -- seven offensive -- but followed that up with only five rebounds in Game 2. Interestingly, all five came on the offensive glass. Perhaps that's because the Thunder rarely missed. Gordon played 27 minutes in the blowout loss. Assuming this game is more competitive, Gordon should play close to 40 minutes and be extremely active as a rebounder.

One thing is apparent in this matchup; the Nuggets are hard-pressed to slow down the Thunder. The 149-106 OKC blowout on Wednesday was an extreme example, but the Thunder have been routinely scoring in the 120s vs. Denver this season and have tallied a robust 129 ppg in the last five meetings. OKC's bench has continued to put pressure on the Denver defense, which also had no chance vs. SGA in Game 2 and saw the Thunder hit a blistering 56% from the floor. Also note recent totals patterns for the Nuggets, who have now landed over in five straight playoff games and a big part of the recent league-wide playoff trend (overs 19-7). Play Nuggets-Thunder Over.

Russell Westbrook is the only player off the bench that the Nuggets can count on right now. In just 22 minutes in Game 2, he scored 19 points. Excluding a game in which he left early with an injury, Westbrook has scored at least 14 points in each of his other seven playoff games. In a close contest in Game 1, Westbrook played 30 minutes and scored 18 points. I think the Nuggets should keep Game 3 close at home, so look for Westbrook to play enough to have a favorable opportunity to hit this over.

Despite playing just 22 minutes in the Thunder’s blowout win in Game 2, Hartenstein finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. In Game 1, he recorded 12 points and nine rebounds across 29 minutes. Including the series against the Grizzlies, Hartenstein has combined for at least 20 points and rebounds in four of six playoff games. The Thunder need his size to battle with Nikola Jokic, so with him possibly playing upwards of 30 minutes in Game 3, I like him to hit this over.

We're not sure the zig-zag is going to work again in this series after. OKC suggested it is about to take control in that 149-106 rout (and it wasn't that close) on Wednesday. Though Nikola Jokic can be granted an occasional mulligan, Denver needs at least one and probably two of its "others" (Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr, Russell Westbrook) besides Jamal Murray to make significant contributions, and not go a combined 6 for 28 as the case with Gordon-Porter-Braun in Game 2. Meanwhile, SGA was dominant in Game 2 (34 points in just 30 minutes) and got a lot more help from his friends than did the Joker, as the Thunder's edge in this matchup remains its quality depth. Play Thunder

OKC was +6.6 in the first half on the road this season, best in the NBA. Next closest was Celtics at +5.5. The Thunder averaged 61.4 points in the first half on the road, best in the NBA, and played at the 7th-fastest pace. That could be a problem for a Denver team that has a serious rest and depth issue. Denver's D was awful, especially at home (27th in D rating) and they were perpetually slow starters at home (just a +0.9 in the first half, 14th in NBA). The Thunder can run and gun on them and they know it. I expect OKC to stay in attack mode here.

If you’ve been following me or my picks you’d know how highly I think of Aaron Gordon and his ability to make an impact on both ends of the court. Gordon has been incredible in the playoffs and has really elevated his play. With that said, this is a high scoring line for him, in what is certainly a very difficult matchup against the best defensive team in the NBA. Anytime the Thunder play there is blowout potential as well as we witnessed in Game 2 of this series.

Game 2, to me, is a heck of a lot closer to an accurate representation of what OKC can do from a pace and poits-per-possession standpoint than what Game 1 was. The truth is somewhere in the middle but I shade it over 120 points. Denver lacks the depth and legs to keep pace and Nuggets defensive failings led to their coach losing his job. OKC was 3rd in NBA in offensive rating on road and 8th in pace. Nuggets were 22d in D rating at home. Seven-game series with Clippers and short rest will impact their legs. And DEN talented enough to keep this close enough for Thunder to chase points all 48 minutes or thereabouts. Young team might be more relaxed on road.