Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets betting tips and predictions for Friday’s NBA game on NBA TV. Phoenix looks to win a 3rd straight game as they host Nikole Jokic and his Nuggets in the 3rd of 4 meetings between the two teams this season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant is finally back and Phoenix Suns fans are buzzing. Although he didn’t have the best of games in his home debut, KD will make a massive difference for this team moving forward. Even he admitted he was a bit nervous on Wednesday as he went just 5-for-18 from the field and scored 16 points in the win over Minnesota. Devin Booker had 29 as the Suns remained unbeaten when Durant plays at 4-0.
That record will be put to the test tonight as they go up against the best team in the West. Denver beat them both meetings so far this season, but those games were played at Ball Arena. Suns are 25-12 SU in their home games this season and in the last 9 meetings they’ve won 7 times and covered the spread 6 times vs the Nuggets.
Denver Nuggets
The biggest question for the Nuggets ahead of tonight’s game will be the status of Nikola Jokic who was kept out of last night’s game vs New Orleans. Denver fell at home fairly easily 107-88 with only Jamal Murray playing up to his standards scoring 21 points and dishing out 7 assists.
That might have just been a strategic move to give Jokic some rest ahead of tonight’s game, beating the Suns when they’re at full strength would silence even the biggest Nuggets critics and give Jokic a massive boost in his case for the MVP award. Denver’s not been all that reliable against the spread lately covering in just 4 of 12 games, but they do have a 6 game win streak vs teams from the Pacific Division and are 14-5 SU in their last 19 vs Western Conference teams.
With Jokic’s appearance in question here, I’m not ready to trust the Nuggets as the risk is just too big. Phoenix has been reliable with KD in the line-up and with the first home game jitters out the way they should be able to perform a lot better here. Take the home team with confidence.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Predictions & Odds
We saw what the Nuggets look like when Jokic doesn’t play. They barely managed just 88 points last night, and in 9 game when he doesn’t play they failed to reach the 100 point mark in 6 of them. Those are all alarming numbers, especially when you’re facing an elite team like the Suns. Phoenix just held their last 3 opponents to 100, 103 and 105 points which is impressive as 2 of those are playoff bound teams.
We might see their defense on display here as well, they’ve gone 16-19-2 on the O/U in home games this season. For the Nuggets, the under has been the bet to wager on lately as it’s landed in their last 7 games in a row. They’re 1-4 on the O/U in their last 5 road games, if Jokic isn’t able to suit up then backing the under is a must here. Let’s take our chances with that bet.
