The Denver Nuggets pay a visit to the Phoenix Suns at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Saturday night. Here’s a Suns vs Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Suns vs Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets have cooled off a bit recently as they’ve split their last six games and they will be eager to rebound after coming up painfully short to the Spurs in a 139-136 loss last night. Jamal Murray led the team with 37 points and seven assists on 13 of 20 shooting, Cameron Johnson added 28 points on 10 of 16 shooting while Nikola Jokic tallied 21 points with nine rebounds and 10 assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot a healthy 53 percent from the field and 16 of 39 from the 3-point line as they dominated the second quarter by 41-18 to take an 18-point lead. Only to get run down in the second half where they allowed a season-high 80 points to suffer just their third loss at home this season.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been one of the form teams in the league as they’ve won 11 of their past 15 games. They will be looking to bounce back after falling just short to the league-leading Thunder in a 123-119 road defeat last night. Collin Gillespie led the team with 24 points on nine of 16 shooting, Devin Booker added 21 points with eight rebounds and six assists, Dillon Brooks scored 19 points while Mark Williams chipped in with 13 points and 14 rebounds. As a team, the Suns shot 46 percent from the field and 15 of 44 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to cut a 15-point deficit to just one point late with just 2:27 left in the fourth quarter, before the Thunder escaped on free throws down the stretch.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Suns have won 10 of their last 11 home games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Nuggets have lost four of their last six games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Suns have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The road team has won each of the Nuggets’ last nine games.
- The Suns have lost each of their last 10 games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The road team has covered the spread in eight of the Nuggets’ last nine games.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as underdogs following a road loss.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Nuggets’ last 10 games against Pacific Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Suns’ last eight home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Devin Booker has recorded 20 games with 3+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
- Dillon Brooks ranks T2nd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.8) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (11.0) this season.
- Tim Hardaway Jr. has recorded 11 games with 1+ assists and zero turnovers this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns rank T1st in the league for steals per game this season (10.6).
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season – led by 18 points vs Hawks on November 16.
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (124.5).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for field goals made per game this season (44.9).
Suns vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets are still missing Aaron Gordon, Julian Strawther and Christian Braun, while the Suns have ruled out Ryan Dunn, Jalen Green, Isaiah LIvers and Grayson Allen. The Nuggets have cooled off a bit since Aaron Gordon went down with injury, and they will be kicking themselves after they were unable to close out the Spurs last night despite leading by as many as 18 points. The Suns have been in great form and they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from last night’s close match with the Thunder who have been stomping everyone this season. I’m not surprised to see the Nuggets open as favorites on the road, but the Suns were more than competitive in last night’s game with the Thunder. I think they can pull off the upset here if they play with the same energy. This could be a close one, so I will lean towards the Suns with the points at home.