Phoenix Suns (20-21) vs. Denver Nuggets (27-13)
January 11, 2023 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets -12 ; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)
The Phoenix Suns invade the Ball Arena to do battle with the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night in NBA action.
The Phoenix Suns have been in terrible shape as they’ve lost nine of their last 11 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a six-game slide with a 125-113 road win over the Warriors last night. Mikal Bridges led the team with 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Damion Lee added 22 points off the bench, Duane Washington scored 21 points while Dario Saric chipped in with 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. As a team, the Suns shot 45 percent from the field and 14 of 31 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Warriors from the start and held them to just 19 points in the second quarter to take a 14-point lead into halftime, which ballooned to 27 points at one stage.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 13 of their last 16 games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after routing the Lakers in a 122-109 win on Monday. Jamal Murray led the team with 34 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16 points while Nikola Jokic tallied a triple-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 46 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Lakers from the start and poured in 62 points in the first half which allowed them to cruise in the second half where they led by as many as 20 points. Aaron Gordon played just 22 minutes, but still racked up nine points with 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The Nuggets are still without Peyton Watson and Jeff Green, but they should have Zeke Nnaji, Bruce Brown and Bones Hyland back in the lineup. The Suns are shorthanded again as Chris Paul, Devin booker and DeAndre Ayton are still listed as out. The Nuggets have been the benchmark of the league all season and they will likely be big favorites in this spot. The Suns’ role players did a great job of taking it to the Warriors in a big upset last night, but it’s going to be tough to replicate that effort on zero days’ rest against one of the hottest teams in the league. I’ll go with the Nuggets in this spot.
