Nikola Jokic Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Thunder vs Nuggets Game 3

Our NBA betting picks and Nikola Jokic predictions see the Nuggets big man exceling when it comes to setting up his teammates at Ball Arena on Friday night vs. the Thunder.

Ameer Tyree - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Ameer Tyree • Betting Analyst
May 9, 2025 • 08:00 ET • 4 min read
Denver Nuggets NBA Nikola Jokic
Photo By - Imagn Images. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic with the ball.

The Oklahoma City Thunder recovered from a Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets by handing out a 149-106 thrashing on Wednesday night to even their second-round series at 1-1. Game 3 is set to tip off at Ball Arena tonight, and Nikola Jokic’s squad will look to get back in front against the top team in the Western Conference.

My NBA picks believe Jokic will shine as a set-up man on Friday, May 9.

Nikola Jokic player prop picks

  • Best bet
    Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 assists
    (+110)

  • SGP pick
    Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 assists
    Nikola Jokic Over 1.5 made 3-pointers
    Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 rebounds
    (+450)

Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Nikola Jokic best bet

Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 assists (+110 at bet365)

Nikola Jokic thrives as the Denver Nuggets' premier scorer and playmaker. While many expect Jokic to be extremely aggressive looking for his own shot in a series that’s knotted at 1-1, he’s actually been a better passer at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder so far this season.

Jokic is averaging just 19.5 points on 45.5% shooting through two matchups with the Thunder at Ball Arena. He tallied 13 and 16 assists, respectively, in those home games. The reigning MVP should be much more comfortable in front of Nuggets fans and has tallied at least 12 dimes in four of his previous five home games against OKC. 

Bettors should expect Jokic to bounce back as a passer in a major way after only managing to put up 12 assists through Games 1 and 2 combined.

Nikola Jokic same-game parlay

Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 assists

Nikola Jokic Over 1.5 made 3-pointers

Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 rebounds

Oklahoma City has been one of the NBA’s best defensive teams all year. However, the opposing teams haven’t been scared to shoot the long ball against them. The Thunder gave up 39.3 3-point attempts per game during the regular season. Only seven teams allowed more. 

Opposing teams shot a league low 34.2% on those attempts from range, but the Nuggets are among the NBA’s most efficient 3-point shooting teams. Denver converted 37.6% of its heaves from distance during the regular season. That figure has risen to 38.2% so far in the playoffs. 

Jokic, who shot 41.7% from deep during the regular season, is shooting 43.9% from beyond the arc during the playoffs. He’s made at least two triples in six of the nine playoff games he’s appeared in so far. I love his odds given that he’s entering Game 3 shooting 4-for-8 from deep against OKC in the second round.

Jokic’s odds to snag at least 10 rebounds are -800, so this is really just a sweetener. The Thunder limited his rebounding in Game 2, but he opened the series with 22 rebounds in Game 1. Jokic also averaged an impressive 16 rebounds per game against OKC at Ball Arena during the regular season.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Ameer Tyree - Covers.com
Betting Analyst

Ameer knew he wanted to write about sports before he even got to middle school and has covered a little bit of everything after hanging up his cleats, sneakers, spikes, and racket. He stumbled into the iGaming industry a year and a half into his career as a beat writer and traditional digital journalist and never looked back. Now he’s a full-on bettor who regularly wagers on the NBA, Premier League, ATP, WTA, and more. He worked for DraftKings Nation in its earlier days before making a stop as a lead NBA analyst for CBS Sports. Now he produces sports betting radio and covers fantasy basketball to keep him busy when he’s not finding the best edges sportsbooks have to offer.

Ameer is a versatile sports fan who will sit down and watch any competition involving a ball. Basketball is his bread and butter and he's honored to be the world’s top James Harden apologist and/or truther. The Beard was the third-best shooting guard ever at his peak. Nobody can tell Ameer differently. 

Watching sports keeps Ameer busy throughout the year, but spontaneous midweek Karaoke, anime, and outdoor activities with his dog take up the rest of his time.

Ameer’s advice to sports bettors: “Good betting is where value, excitement, research, and timing collide.”

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