Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets 4/29/23 – Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets will meet for the Second Round of the NBA West Semi Final Playoffs matchup at Ball Arena this Saturday afternoon. After losing Game 1, the Suns upset the Clippers 4-1 and advanced to Round 2. The Nuggets also won their series 4-1 over the Timberwolves with only one loss coming in Game 4. These teams tied their regular season series at two victories each. Every home game was won by its host side. NBA betting sites are up with all the data and betting analysis of this game.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets
Date & Time: Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 8:30 PM ET
Location: Ball Arena Denver, CO
TV: TNT
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets 4/29/23 Betting Odds
Suns
Moneyline: +125
Spread: +3 (-110)
Total: 226 over (-110)
Nuggets
Moneyline: -145
Spread: -3 (-110)
Total: 226 under (-110)
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Analysis
Kevin Durant leads in minutes played per game for these playoffs with 43.8, followed closely by Devin Booker at 43.2. Time will tell whether playing their stars almost the entirety of each game will prove beneficial or raise fatigue and injury concerns. The Suns took advantage of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being absent for three games due to an injured meniscus; Kawhi missed Game 3, 4, and 5. Devin Booker ranks second in NBA postseason scoring with 37.2 PPG, trailing only Miami’s Jimmy Butler at 37.6. Booker has been particularly effective this postseason and currently is shooting 46.7% from three. Booker had 47 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds against the Clippers in his last game of the regular season. Meanwhile Kevin Durant is currently averaging 28.4 PPG and 7.6 RPG. Deandre Ayton patrols the paint, and will likely match up against Jokic in this series. Ayton averaged 16.0 PPG and 11.2 RPG in their last matchup while Chris Paul started at point guard and still posted 13.6 PPG and 8.2 APG numbers. Torrey Craig was named to start and averaged 12.4 PPG against the Clippers, while they have seen only limited bench production; Josh Okogie led that charge with an average scorer 6.0 PPG off of bench duty. The Suns do not currently have any players listed as injured on their injury report.
Denver delivered an emphatic win to send the Timberwolves packing, thanks to Anthony Edwards who provided strong play. Unfortunately, however, the other T-Wolves could not come together and allowed Denver to capitalize. Edwards has averaged 31.6 points per game this series for Phoenix and Denver may struggle to stop its two elite perimeter scorers – both are prolific scorers who scored an average of 113.6 PPG throughout five games. Nikola Jokic put forth an outstanding effort in the First Round against Minnesota’s formidable frontline, averaging 26.2 PPG, 12.4 RPG, and 9.0 APG to lead his Nuggets to victory while point guard Jamal Murray led in scoring. Murray averaged 27.2 points per game, including scoring 35 in Game 5. Murray shot 42.9% from 3-point range while making over three triples daily. Michael Porter Jr is an excellent wing player of great size at 6′ 10” who contributed significantly during this series clincher. Porter Jr. demonstrated his guard skills by averaging 16.4 PPG and 8.2 RPG during the series. All five starters averaged double figures, including Aaron Gordon with 13.4 PPG and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s 10.4. Bruce Brown led their bench efforts with 11.4 points per game. Denver comes into this series healthy with all rotational players available and in good shape, ranking 5th in offensive efficiency and 18th in defensive efficiency. Their pace was 21st among NBA teams and finished 34-7 at home this season.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Against the Spread
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Phoenix’s last 8 games. Phoenix are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games. Phoenix are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games against Denver. The total has gone OVER in 9 of Phoenix’s last 11 games on the road. Phoenix are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver.
Denver are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games. The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Denver’s last 18 games. Denver are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver’s last 6 games against Phoenix. Denver are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Free Pick
The Suns have relied heavily on their starters throughout this game, including Booker and Durant who lead in playoff minutes played. Unfortunately, this approach cannot be sustained against an aggressive and deep opponent over seven games. Denver boasts the deeper roster and more sizable defenders to counter Durant and Booker. Notably, home and away records of these teams cannot be ignored.Denver was outstanding at home this season, going 34-7 in their own arena while Phoenix struggled on the road, only posting 17-24 results away from their own turf. NBA betting analysts expect the Nuggets to grab Game 1 in this series.
Free Pick: Denver Nuggets -3 (-110)
