Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 23, 2024
The Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets matchup is one of the several games scheduled for Monday night. The Suns are 11th in the Western Conference standings with a record of 14-13, while the Nuggets are fifth with a 15-11 record.
Both teams have met 192 times in the regular season, with the Suns holding the advantage with a 104-88 head-to-head lead. This will be their first matchup of the season, although their last game in the regular season ended in a 104-97 win for the visiting Suns on March 28.
Suns star Kevin Durant had a game-high 30 points, 13 rebounds and three assists. Nuggets phenom Nikola Jokic came up with a near triple-double of 22 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets game details and odds
The Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets matchup is slated for a 10 p.m. EST tipoff on Monday, Dec. 23, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The game can be streamed on fuboTV and NBA League Pass.
While it is not slated for national TV, home fans can catch the game on TV via Altitude and away fans via Arizona's Family 3TV/Arizona's Family Sports. It can also be listened to via radio on Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM for home fans and KMVP 98.7/S: KSUN for the away fans.
Moneyline: Suns (+185) vs Nuggets (-225)
Spread: Suns (+5.5) vs Nuggets (-5.5)
Total (O/U): Suns -110 (o233.0) vs Nuggets -110 (u233.0)
Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets preview
The Phoenix Suns started the 2024-25 season in strong form, winning eight out of their first 10 games. They are currently on a two-game losing run, with their last defeat coming at home against the Detroit Pistons.
Durant's 45 points, five rebounds and six assists combined with Bradley Beal's 26 points, six rebounds and five assists weren't enough to lead them to victory.
The Nuggets, on the other hand, haven't been as dominant, but four wins in their last five games will give fans reason to be hopeful. Their previous game against the New Orleans Pelicans came in an overtime 132-129 road win.
The reigning NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 25 of their 54 points in the fourth quarter and OT to lead the Nuggets to victory. Jokic ended the game with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, while Murray came up with 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets betting props
Kevin Durant's point total is set at 30.5, which exceeds his season average of 27.4 points. Durant has averaged 31.6 points in his last three games against the Nuggets. So, a bet on the under is the safe choice here.
Nikola Jokic's point total is set at 28.5, slightly below his season average of 31.0 points. However, he has averaged just 22.6 points in his last three regular-season games against the Suns. Bet on the under here.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets prediction
The Nuggets are the oddsmakers' favorites here. Furthermore, based on the latest moneyline odds, the Nuggets have a projected winning percentage of 69.2%, while the Suns are the underdogs with 34.9%.