The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns meet Tuesday in NBA preseason action at the Footprint Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Denver Nuggets Betting Preview

The Denver Nuggets are coming off their first NBA title and enter the ninth season under coach Michael Malone. The Nuggets watched Bruce Brown. Jr., Thomas Bryant and Jeff Green leave in free agency. The Nuggets didn’t do anything noteworthy to replace those guys, meaning they’re counting on Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray leading the way again. That’s about as good of a starting lineup as it gets in the league, so while there may be depth concerns, the Nuggets have to like their chances in a title defense. However, no team has repeat in the NBA since the Warriors did in 2017-18. 

Phoenix Suns Betting Preview

The Phoenix Suns look for another win after beating the Pistons in overtime on Sunday. The Suns have won 5 of their last 8 preseason games. The Phoenix Suns are averaging 130 points on 44.2 percent shooting and allowing 126 points on 49.5 percent shooting. Grayson Allen is averaging 18 points and 3 assists, while Chimezie Metu is averaging 14 points and 3 rebounds. Kevin Durant is the third double-digit scorer and Devin Booker is dishing 2 assists. The Phoenix Suns are shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 84.2 percent from the free throw line. The Phoenix Suns are allowing 31.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 50 rebounds per game.

Trends

The Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The under is 5-1 in Nuggets last 6 overall. The over is 9-4-1 in Suns last 14 overall. The Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.

Randy’s Free Pick

The Denver Nuggets just won an NBA title and have their starters in place, so I highly doubt you see any serious players take the court for this one. That’s why the Suns are decent sized favorites. However, the Suns just played their starters on Sunday in a game that went into overtime. You could see a battle of backups and non NBA players in this one. Give me the points with the Nuggets if that’s the case.