Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns betting tips and predictions for Friday’s NBA Playoffs game on ESPN. With no Chris Paul to lead them, Phoenix is looking to bounce back after suffering losses in both games so far in their series against the Nuggets. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Phoenix Suns
Unlike in Game 1 where they got totally outplayed, the Suns actually had a chance in Game 2 in Denver, but once again luck wasn’t on their side. Chris Paul suffered a groin injury mid-way through the 3rd quarter, the Suns got outscored 27-14 in the 4th and that’s what ultimately decided the game. CP3 is expected to miss games 3, 4 and 5, which means Cameron Payne will have to start in his place. He too has had issues staying healthy in the postseason so far, so the Suns are in a bit of a hole here.
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker will have to elevate their games even further if they want to avoid a sweep here. The Suns bench has particularly been disappointing, they rank dead last in the postseason in points per game. However, playing at home should give them some hope. The Suns are 5-1 SU in their last 6 vs Denver at Footprint Center.
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. combined to go 5-for-22 from the field and scored just 15 points in Game 2, but Denver still came out on top. They have to thank Nikola Jokic for carrying them with 39 points and 16 rebounds. It was a statement performance from the Joker after he finished 2nd in the MVP voting earlier in the day.
After winning 2 of those he probably no longer cares about winning it, the main goal is to go as deep as possible in the postseason. Denver is doing just fine so far with 6 wins in 7 games, but they’ve had their struggles on the road winning just once in 6 games dating back to the regular season. They are the healthier team here, but if they want to get a split over the next 2 games they’ll need both Porter Jr. and Murray to do better. Denver’s bench also disappointed in Game 2 with just 14 points scored.
With their backs against the wall, I’m expecting to see the best out of both Durant and Booker here. They might not have their point guard, but they are still one of the best duos in the NBA. Denver has struggled on the road, so I think the Suns pull one out here and make this a series. Phoenix to cover.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Predictions & Odds
Playing at a fast pace is simply not an option for the Suns here, they just don’t have the required depth to put up 120+ points. So far in the series they’ve scored just 107 and 87 points and that’s with Chris Paul in the line-up. Without him, they’ll have to start Cam Payne who is averaging just 2.3 points per game in 3 games played so far this postseason. Having traded away most of their bench for Kevin Durant, it was only a matter of time until this would become an issue.
The Nuggets have the 4th best defensive rating in the postseason so far, allowing just 107.5 points per 100 possessions. The total has gone under in 14 of their last 20 games, while the 3 most recent meetings against the Suns have seen an average of just 216.6 points per game. There’s no way we’re going over 220 points tonight, take the under in this one.
