Suns vs. Nuggets Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA on ESPN, 3/7
Whether the week has flown by for you or dragged on, it’s finally Friday either way. That means yet another NBA on ESPN doubleheader, which is capped off by a Suns vs. Nuggets matchup. It may not be the most likely playoff series preview, but it’s certainly a possible one, and we’ve got our Suns vs. Nuggets predictions for you.
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Suns vs. Nuggets Predictions For NBA On ESPN, 3/7
It feels like at least one team from every matchup this time of year is on a back-to-back, but that’s not the case for this Western Conference clash. That’s not even the case in terms of being on the front end of one, so we should see the best from both teams.
Of course, the best of both teams isn’t exactly equivalent. While the Nuggets have sixth-shortest odds to win another NBA Finals with Nikola Jokic (+1600 at BetMGM), the Suns are just trying to make the Play-In Tournament at the very least.
Even with that being the case, they aren’t without their own superstars as well with the likes of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But, can that duo outduel Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray? That’s what the best bet from our Suns vs. Nuggets predictions is here to help answer.
Phoenix Suns: Bad For Bettors, Boosting The Books
Before we get that far though, how about Phoenix’s chances and what they need to do to pull off the upset. Especially on the road, it’s no surprise to see the Suns vs. Nuggets odds heavily favor Denver. Speaking of odds, the Suns haven’t only been fizzling out on the court.
Not only has Phoenix gone 3-7 in their last 10 games, but they’ve also been terrible in terms of covering the spread. They’re 30th out of 30 teams in that regard, so it’s not only their fans that they’re disappointing. They were able to get back in the win column back on Tuesday night against the Clippers, and they’ll certainly need that rest advantage for tonight’s matchup.
Denver Nuggets: Rallying Around Russ
The slight rest advantage comes into effect with the Nuggets having played only slightly more recently, which was their win over the Sacramento Kings. It was one that they needed after a national TV game against the Boston Celtics, but Denver is still the inverse of Phoenix as of late, going 7-3 in their last 10 games.
While they’re eyes are on the NBA Finals, the headlines following that win have surprisingly been about former MVP Russell Westbrook. Jamal Murray was very outspoken regarding his leadership lifting the team, making it sound as though Westbrook may be the spark the team needed to get them back to the final series of the spring.
Suns vs. Nuggets Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
It was fully expected to see Denver as clear favorites at home, and you can see the latest Suns vs. Nuggets odds at BetMGM Sportsbook here:
- Point Spread: Phoenix Suns +7.5 (-110) vs. Denver Nuggets -7.5 (-110)
- Money Line: Phoenix Suns (+245) vs. Denver Nuggets (-300)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 237 (-110) vs. Under 237 (-110)
Suns vs. Nuggets Best Bet: First Half Over 118.5 Points (-110 at BetMGM)
In terms of overall Suns vs. Nuggets predictions, we’d bet that most fans fully expect a Denver victory. Of course, that’s not exactly where the value lies, and with such a significant point spread, we’re looking elsewhere for our best bet.
With Phoenix being an abysmal 22-39-1 against the spread the season, the trends favor Denver, but we’re also concerned about a slow start from Nikola Jokic and company. A consideration for backing the Suns first half spread could make your Suns vs. Nuggets picks, but we’re just going to be rooting for tons of buckets in the first two quarters.
The primary reason that Denver has needed some comeback wins this season, such as just two nights ago against the Kings, has been their first half defense. While they may be one of the best teams in the NBA, they’ve come out of the gates slow to the tune of allowing 60.1 first half points per game.
That ranks 27th in the NBA, and a Suns team featuring Kevin Durant and Devin Booker can absolutely capitalize. They’ve proven that already, scoring over 57 first half points per game. Although that may not be record-setting, Denver should also do their part. They score nearly the same amount of first half points as they allow - 60.9 per game.
In the last two matchups between these teams this season, the first quarters alone saw 69 and 72 points scored, so we’re confident in another fast start. Therefore, the best bet from our Suns vs. Nuggets predictions is on the over 118.5 first half points (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook).
Suns vs. Nuggets Injury Report & Starting Lineup
To make sure that you have everything revolving the game and our Suns vs. Nuggets predictions, we’ve also got the latest injury news for both teams.
Starting with Phoenix, Bradley Beal is still listed as day-to-day after exiting Tuesday’s game against the Clippers, while Cody Martin is still likely to miss time. In Denver, Julian Strawther is going to be out for several weeks, while Aaron Gordon is also a concern to miss tonight’s game.
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Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.