For the first half of the NBA betting season, the Phoenix Suns struggled to stay in the top half of the Western Conference standings. The Suns were battling injuries and ownership problems. But in the stretch drive, the Suns were transformed with the acquisition of Kevin Durant. Also, they benefited from the improved health of the rest of the team. Now, Phoenix is down 0-2 to the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Phoenix opened as the series favorite. Although Denver was the top team in the West during the regular season.
2023 NBA Playoffs Second Round Series Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets
| Date and Time: | Friday, May 05, 2023, 10 P.M. ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ. |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | +3½ (-110) | 224½ (-110) | +145 |  |
| Suns | -3½ (-110) | 224½ (-110) | -170 | |
| ||||
Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets Series Schedule
- Game 1: Nuggets 125, Suns 107
- Game 2: Nuggets 97, Suns 87
- Game 3: Friday at Phoenix, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 4: Sunday, May 7 at Phoenix, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 5*: Tuesday, May 9 at Denver (TNT)
- Game 6*: Thursday, May 11 at Phoenix (ESPN)
- Game 7*: Sunday, May 14 at Denver
*If necessary
Denver Nuggets Team Overview
The Denver Nuggets finished 53-29 straight up, 45-37 against the spread, and 37-44-1 over/under the total. Late on, Denver has covered four out of their last six games. In comparison, the Nuggets have gone under the sportsbook betting
total in two of its previous eight matchups.
First among Denver scorers is Jamal Murray with 27.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. Nikola Jokic adds 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per contest. Michael Porter Jr brings 16.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest.
Phoenix Suns Team Overview
The Phoenix finished 45-37 straight up, 43-38-1 against the spread, and 42-39 over/under the total. Late on, Phoenix has covered three out of their last five games. While the Suns have gone over the total in four of its previous five matchups.
First among Pheonix scorers is Devin Booker, with 37.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. At the same time, Kevin Durant brings 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per outing.
Suns vs. Nuggets Game 2 Review
Nikola Jokic scored 39 points and pulled down 16 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix on Monday night. As a result, Denver has a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 35 points, and Kevin Durant added 24. However, they combined to miss a whopping 32 shots. Including 14 from long range.
Jokic showed why he is MVP Material Monday night when 26 of his points and 12 of his rebounds came after halftime. On the whole, he dominated at both ends of the floor. Jokic denied the Suns a shot at tying the series that shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 Friday night.
The Suns held Jamal Murray to 10 points 48 hours after he went off for 34. But Phoenix had no answers for Jokic. Jokic’s big night was necessary as Murray shot 3-15 and missed all nine of his 3-pointers after sinking 6-10 in the opener. Also, Michael Porter scored five points on 2-for-7 shooting.
Overall, the Suns have been outscored by 30 points from long-range this series.
Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets SBG Free Pick
It is true that a team is not in trouble until they lose at home. Still, Denver has shown surprising dominance in this NBA betting series.
Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets SBG Best Bet: Denver Nuggets.