The NBA is back and not like the pseudo-NBA preseason where you just get a taste of a team’s real rotation. No, tonight the Denver Nuggets have a game that counts… and what kind of game it will be. To open their season, Denver drew division rival and reigning No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Widely considered the most talented roster in the West after OKC added more pieces to their puzzle this offseason (Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein), the Thunder enter this year with higher expectations than ever since Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook graced both the selection. The Nuggets, meanwhile, may have tempered expectations a bit compared to last year now that they’re no longer concerned with their title defense, but they’ll certainly have their hands full against a Thunder team that’s unlikely to overlook them.

The essence

WHO: Denver Nuggets (0-0) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0)

When: 8:00 PM MDT

Where: The can. Denver, CO

How to watch/listen: Denver Stiffs does not tolerate piracy…unless it is a romanticized 17th century type. TNT. 92.5 FM height radio.

Rival blog: Thunderous intentions

The Matchup

Injury report: DaRon Holmes II – out (Achilles); Isaiah Hartenstein – out (hand), Jaylin Williams – out (hamstring), Kenrich Williams – out (knee), Nikola Topic – out (knee)

The three things

What to pay attention to: Thunder rotation

The Thunder lost Hartenstein to a broken hand in their preseason game against Denver and played only one more game after that. In that game, Cason Wallace got the start and the team became small. That’s the struggle OKC has with their roster. They are the same depth everywhere, except when it comes to big men. It could be that Mark Daigneault really plans to have Wallace in his starting group, or maybe he just tried out some combinations in light of the Hartenstein injury and we could see a completely different person tonight with the normal four Thunder- starters. Who knows. I expect Ousmane Dieng to get more minutes, as he’s really the only other notable player on the Thunder with any length to speak of, and I expect it to be a tough night for Chet Holmgren, who plays the vast majority of will receive “attempts”. but fail miserably to keep Nikola Jokic’s duties in check.

What to remember: Healthy Denver was quite good against OKC last season

Denver went just 1-3 against the Thunder last year and I know what you’re thinking: “You call 1-3 pretty good?” The answer is: if we take the context into account, yes, I do call it that. The Nuggets’ only win against the Thunder came very early in the year (in fact, the Thunder’s home opener) when Denver ran OKC out of the gym en route to a 33-point blowout. They were on pace to win the second game against the Thunder in December, but snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by crumbling in the final two minutes of the game. They were then eliminated in a game just before the All-Star break in which Denver was missing Aaron Gordon and the final game against OKC ended in a five-point loss with the Nuggets without Jokic. With Hartenstein out, the Thunder are essentially running it back with their roster tonight and color me among those optimistic about the Nuggets’ chances given their relative clean bill of health.

The thing to bet: Jamal Murray first field goal (+550)

Since it’s opening night, we’re going to get a little crazy with what we have to bet. Nothing really stood out to me as being of great value in this game anyway. Here are my thoughts on that: Jokic wins the majority of picks he’s involved in (although a caveat: only one of three against Chet Holmgren last season), so there’s a good chance Denver will get the first chance of the game. Add to that the chatter about Jamal this offseason and I have a hunch that Michael Malone wants to get his starting point guard started early. That the first play of the game would be set up to get an easy bucket for Jamal wouldn’t surprise me at all. +550 clearly indicates that this is a gamble, as with all first FG bets, but if we’re having fun, Jamal is my favorite player to cash in big for the Stiffs tonight.

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The return of the Nuggets season also means the return of the Stiffs Night Out at #38 in Rino! Join us on November 8 to watch the Nuggets take on the Miami Heat. There will be live podcasts, awards shows, drink specials, delicious food, and the best Nuggets fans in town! Number 38 features a robust beer selection as well as plenty of other drink options. Tip-off is at 7pm and there is plenty of room for everyone, but make sure you come early to get the best seats on the terrace (weather permitting). I can’t wait to see everyone there at 3560 Chestnut Pl.

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