Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction, Preview, and Odds

With a robust 11-4 record against Western Conference rivals, the Denver Nuggets sit comfortably in second place in the conference standings. Their recent surge in form, marked by a potential fourth consecutive win, comes after a commanding 134-124 victory over the Houston Rockets. Nikola Jokic's featured another triple-double with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists. Michael Porter Jr. scored 30 points, along with 10 rebounds, and five assists. 

The Nuggets record a W after hitting 50 percent from the field and an impressive 19 out of 43 from beyond the arc. Ball control was a highlight for Denver, evidenced by a mere three turnovers throughout the game. Murray's valuable 22 minutes on the court, yielding 16 points, was also a significant factor in their comprehensive win.

“One of the security guards said, ‘Hey, great win tonight.’ I said it was a great outcome,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "I wouldn’t call it a great win. It was a great outcome.”

So far in the season, the Denver Nuggets are averaging 114.2 points per game, executing with a high efficiency of 49.1 percent from the field. Defensively, they're conceding 109.7 points on an opponent shooting percentage of 46.6 percent. 

Nikola Jokic stands out with impressive averages of 29 points and 13.2 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. is contributing significantly with 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Jamal Murray adds another layer of scoring, being the third player with a double-digit scoring average.

From the 3-point line, the Nuggets are hitting 36.8 percent of their attempts, though their free-throw shooting lingers at 71.1 percent. On the defensive end, they're limiting opponents to 35.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc while averaging 44.4 rebounds per game.

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Michael Briggs, 28-19, $746Facing challenges in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns have recorded an 8-5 record against their conference peers. Their impressive seven-game winning streak came to a halt with a 112-105 defeat against the Toronto Raptors. 

In this loss, Kevin Durant led the Suns with 30 points and six assists, while Jusuf Nurkic contributed 19 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists on efficient eight-of-12 shooting. Eric Gordon and Josh Okogie each added 10 points, but they were the last Suns players to reach double figures. The team struggled offensively, shooting just 40 percent from the field and converting only seven of 26 attempts from the 3-point line. 

Devin Booker, endured a challenging game, finishing with a mere eight points on two-of-12 shooting, including a zero-of-four performance from beyond. However, Booker is questionable for the game tonight, as he is dealing with an ankle injury. The Suns will also miss Bradley Beal (back), Damion Lee (knee), and Grayson Allen (illness). 

“We’ll see how it responds overnight,” Vogel said. “You never know with ankles.”

Boasting a high-scoring offense, the Phoenix Suns are notching an average of 116.4 points per game, achieving this with a 47.4 percent shooting efficiency. On the defensive end, they're allowing opponents an average of 113.2 points on 45.8 percent shooting. 

Kevin Durant is leading the charge with an impressive 31.3 points and 5.5 assists per game, while Devin Booker contributes significantly with 27.3 points and 5.4 rebounds. Bradley Beal stands as the team's third key scorer. Eric Gordon, on the other hand, is averaging 2.1 rebounds per game. 

The Suns are showing proficiency from the 3-point line, hitting 38.7 percent of their attempts, and are highly effective from the free-throw line with an 83.9 percent success rate. Defensively, they are holding opponents to 35.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc and are averaging 44.2 rebounds per game.

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Best Bets for this Game

Insiders Status:

The Denver Nuggets have been displaying their prowess against the Pacific Division, notching victories in their last 10 matchups. The Phoenix Suns, not to be outdone, have secured wins in 7 of their recent 10 games, showcasing their strength. Yet, both teams are grappling with injury issues. The Nuggets are likely to be without Cancar and Gordon, while the Suns are dealing with the absence of Beal, Lee, Booker, and Allen.

In this scenario, the spotlight turns to the key players: Nikola Jokic for Denver and Kevin Durant for Phoenix. Their performances could very well dictate the game's outcome. Given the uncertainty around the players' availability, it's essential for fans and analysts alike to monitor the final lineups as the game approaches. 

The Denver Nuggets have demonstrated a strong track record in their recent matchups against the Phoenix Suns, securing victories in 4 of their last 6 encounters. Additionally, from a betting perspective, the Nuggets have shown notable consistency, covering the spread in 7 out of their last 10 games against the Suns. Despite the potential disadvantage due to injuries, the Nuggets still hold considerable potential to cover the 2.5-point spread, especially if Devin Booker remains sidelined for the Suns. 

Prediction: Take the Nuggets -2.5 (-110)

Insiders Status:

Facing the Phoenix Suns, a high-scoring team averaging 116.4 points per game this season, presents a significant challenge for the Denver Nuggets, who typically allow 109.7 points per game. The Suns have been on an offensive upswing in their last 10 games, boosting their average to 119.6 points and shooting with a 48.2% success rate. Their opponents have managed to score 114.9 points on average during this period. The Nuggets, maintaining a balanced 5-5 record in their last 10 games, have been averaging 112.5 points and shooting 47.6% from the field, while their adversaries have tallied an average of 113.1 points.

Notably, nine of the Suns' last 10 evening games against Western Conference teams have exceeded the total points line. This season, Suns games have surpassed the points total 12 times in 18 chances. In their recent 10 matches, they have gone over the total seven times.

Considering these statistics, there's a strong indication that the upcoming contest could be another high-scoring affair, especially if Devin Booker, a key player for the Suns, is active. This matchup promises to be an exciting display of offensive prowess.

Prediction: Take the Over 224 total points (-110)