Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
| Game Time | 10:30 pm EST |
| Denver Nuggets Line | -2.5 |
| Phoenix Suns Line | +2.5 |
| Total | 233.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Below is a detailed analysis for Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
In the fifth and final game of the 2024 NBA Christmas Day, we have an all-Western battle and a rematch of Sunday’s game, when the Phoenix Suns are hosting the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets destroyed the Suns by 27 points in Denver on Sunday, even though they were on a second leg of a back-to-back, as they bounced back after an unexpected loss in Portland. The Nuggets have been playing very good basketball lately, as they have lost just once in their last six games. The Suns are currently on a mini slump, as they have three consecutive losses, but are now back home, where they have been playing their best basketball of the season.
Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
Phoenix Suns Injury Report: Grayson Allen, Devin Booker, Bol Bol are out
Denver Nuggets Injury Report: Jamal Murray, Daron Holmes and Vlatko Cancar are out
Phoenix Suns Recent Form and Trends
The Suns have a 14-14 record this season and are tied with the Timberwolves on the 10th place of the West. The Suns 9-19 against the spread and 16-12 in over/under. Phoenix has a 9-6 home record, but are 4-11 against the spread with a -5.2-point differential. The Suns are 2-6 in their last 8 games and 1-7 against the spread. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 games.
The Suns are coming off a 90-117 loss in Denver, as they shot with just 40% from the field. Only two Phoenix players reached double figures in scoring. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal led Phoenix’s offense with 23 points apiece.
Durant leads the Suns in scoring with 27.1 points, adding 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Devin Booker adds 25.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists, but he is out with an injury.
Denver Nuggets Form and Trends
The Nuggets have a 16-11 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place of the West. Denver is 11-15-1 against the spread and 17-9-1 in over/under. The Nuggets have an 8-7 road record but are 6-9 against the spread with a +3-point differential. Denver is 5-1 in their last 6 games. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 games.
Denver is coming off a 117-90 win over Phoenix, as they shot with 51% from the field. Nikola Jokic led Denver’s offense with a game-high 32 points and 7 assists, but surprisingly grabbing only two rebounds.
Jokic leads Denver in scoring with an average of 30.9 points, in rebounding with 12.5 and in assists made with 9.7. Jamal Murray adds 19.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists, but he is out with an injury.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Suns average 113.4 points per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. Phoenix shoots with 47.2% from the field (9th), and with 38.4% from beyond the arc (4th). Defensively, the Suns allow 115.1 points per game, which is 21st in the league.
Offensively, the Nuggets are averaging 119.8 points per game, which is the third-best in the NBA. Denver shoots with 49.7% from the field, which is the third-best in the NBA, and with 38% from beyond the arc, which is the fifth-best in the league. Defensively, they are allowing 116.3 points per game, which ranks 26th in the NBA.
The Nuggets are 4-2 in their last 6 meetings against the Suns, and are 4-2 against the spread. Under is 5-1 in their last 6 meetings.
Prediction
In this Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Prediction, the Nuggets are coming as -2.5 road favorites. The Suns are the second-worst covering home team in the NBA this season, losing by an average of 5.2 points. But when two teams face each other in back-to-back games, it is hard to pick the same team to win both games. Their previous game was expected to be a high scoring one, as both teams are top-12 in the league offensively, while being on the bottom-10 defensively. They have also been very effective with their shooting, as they both are top-10 in field goal percentage and top-5 in 3-point percentage. I expect the Suns’ offense to show up tonight, and make this a high scoring affair. Take the over 233.5 points. Nick’s Pick: Over 233.5
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