Nuggets vs Suns: Prediction, odds, where to watch
The Nuggets versus Suns matchup on Friday will be one of the most interesting NBA games. The schedule is packed, with 13 games, but this matchup stands out.
Denver (51-25) has the top spot in the Western Conference, but could lose it to the Memphis Grizzlies (48-28), who are three games behind. The Phoenix Suns (41-35), on the other hand, are fourth, but need to win a few more games to secure this spot.
The matchup will be interesting, and we can expect competitive basketball. The game tips off at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on NBA TV.
The Nuggets versus Suns matchup has major playoff implications
The Denver Nuggets have played fantastic basketball in the 2022-23 season. Led by the amazing jokic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Nikola Jokic, they took the top spot in the Western Conference in late December 2022 and have stayed there ever since.
However, they are 5-6 in their last 11 games and have suffered a couple of blowouts. The Grizzlies, who are looking to dethrone them, are 8-2 in their last 10 games, which is why the game against the Phoenix Suns is very important for Denver.
The Suns are on a three-game win streak and are looking to secure the fourth spot in the West. However, they are only 0.5 games ahead of the LA Clippers (41-36) and 1.5 games ahead of the Golden State Warriors (40-37).
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If the Suns keep their current position, they will secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. However, they have six games left in the regular season and the 10th-toughest schedule, so it'll be interesting to see where they end up in the end.
The Suns have no players listed on the injury report. Denver, on the other hand, has seven injured players, including Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Nuggets vs. Suns odds favor Phoenix
The Denver Nuggets will be playing against the Phoenix Suns on the second night of a back-to-back. Furthermore, Jokic is doubtful and will likely miss the matchup. Due to this, the odds heavily favor the Suns.
Here are the odds before the matchup:
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +350, Suns -425
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +10.5 (-115), Suns -10.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5
The two teams have met twice this season, with the Nuggets winning both. They won by three points in overtime in December, while their most recent victory over the Suns was a 29-point blowout in early January.
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Considering that the Nuggets are plagued by injuries, it's very unlikely that they will win Friday night's matchip against Phoenix. Stopping Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the rest of the team will be nearly impossible, which is why we predict that the Suns will be victorious.