The Denver Nuggets play host to the Phoenix Suns at the Ball Arena on Saturday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Suns Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs Suns Pick.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
The Phoenix Suns were able to kick off their season with a win, but they are now hoping to avoid a second straight loss after getting trampled by the Clippers in a 129-102 road defeat last night. Dillon Brooks led the team in scoring with 21 points on seven of 17 shooting, Devin Booker added 18 points with seven assists, while Grayson Allen chipped in with 12 points and five assists.
As a team, the Suns shot just 41 percent from the field and 16 of 47 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Clippers early on. They allowed 72 points in the first half before they leaked another 34 points in the third quarter to trail by as many as 32 points at one stage. The Suns committed 18 turnovers as a team and as was the case last season, they were poor on the defensive end, allowing the Clippers to shoot over 55 percent from the 3-point line and almost 60 percent from the field.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets will be hoping for a better result in this one after coming up just short to the Warriors in a 137-131 overtime road defeat on Thursday night. Aaron Gordon barely missed all night as he drained 10 3-pointers to lead the team with 50 points on 17 of 21 shooting, Jamal Murray tallied 25 points with 10 assists while Nikola Jokic racked up a triple-double of 21 points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
As a team, the Nuggets shot a healthy 53 percent from the field and 16 of 40 from the 3-point line to take an early 14-point lead. However, even with a clutch go-ahead basket from Gordon late in the fourth quarter, it still wasn’t enough to hold off the Warriors who tied the game at the end of regulation before pulling away in overtime.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Suns have lost each of their last nine road games.
- The favorites have won each of the Suns’ last 13 games.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in 15 of their last 16 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last five home games.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last five games after coming off overtime.
- The Suns have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Nuggets following a loss.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as favorites following a road loss.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in 18 of the Nuggets’ last 21 games at Ball Arena.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last six games after coming off overtime have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Suns’ last eight road games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Aaron Gordon ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (50.0) this season.
- Jamal Murray ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Dillon Brooks ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Grayson Allen ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (33.0).
- The Nuggets rank T1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (13.0).
- The Suns rank T1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (16.5).
- The Suns rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (54.1%).
Nuggets vs Suns Prediction
The Suns are still a little shorthanded with Jalen Green yet to suit up for his new team, while the Nuggets will be at full strength as they don’t have anyone listed on the injury report. The Suns have the tough task of trying to back up following last night’s ugly loss to the Clippers, but I just don’t see them getting any respite against a loaded Nuggets team.
They were unlucky not to win their last game against the Warriors. The line is certainly hefty for this game, so while I like the Nuggets to win comfortably at home, I think the Suns can make pests of themselves and hang around to get a backdoor cover on the road.