Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Prediction 12-23-24 NBA Picks

The Phoenix Suns invade the Ball Arena to do battle with the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Here’s a Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Prediction. This article will include a Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Pick.

The Phoenix Suns have been in a slump lately as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting beaten by the Pistons in a 133-125 loss on Saturday. Kevin Durant led the team with 43 points and six assists on 14 of 26 shooting, Bradley Beal added 26 points with five assists while Tyus Jones chipped in with 19 points on seven of eight shooting.

As a team, the Suns shot 57 percent from the field and 14 of 29 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to cut an early 15-point deficit to just three points in the second quarter, only to get blown away in the third quarter where they allowed 39 points. All five Suns starters finished in double figures in scoring but no bench player scored more than five points.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been heating up recently as they’ve won four of their past five games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Pelicans in a 132-129 overtime road win last night. Nikola Jokic led the team with a triple-double of 27 points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists, Jamal Murray added 27 points with eight rebounds and four assists, Russell Westbrook tallied 21 points off the bench while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 17 points.

As a team, the Nuggets shot 50 percent from the field and 10 of 33 from the 3-point line as they struggled for most of the game and had to rally back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter before they escaped in overtime as the Pelicans missed the potential game-tying free throws with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. The Nuggets will meet the Cavs after this game.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Nuggets have won each of their last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Suns have lost each of their last eight games as underdogs.
• The Suns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as underdogs.
• The Nuggets have covered the spread in four of their last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back.

Total Points Facts

• Seventeen of the Nuggets’ last 18 home games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Seven of the Suns’ last eight night games against the Nuggets following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (30.6).
• The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (19.2).
• The Suns rank 28th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (85.1).
• The Suns rank 28th in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (25.9%).

The Suns are still shorthanded with Grayson Allen and Devin Booker still out, while the Nuggets are coming into this one with a full squad once again. The Suns have shown this season that they are a force to be reckoned with when they have all their star players available, but they are so vulnerable if at least one star player is out. In contrast, the Nuggets have kept their heads above water despite dealing with injuries since opening night and they will be full of confidence following last night’s comeback overtime win over the Pelicans. It’s always tough playing the second game of a back-to-back set, but I think the line is short enough for me to take the Nuggets to get the win and cover at home.

Peter Tran's Free Pick: Denver -5.5

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