Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/01/2023

Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Monday, May 1, 2023

Venue:  Ball Arena, Denver, CO

Where to Watch:  TNT

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Suns +4.5, Nuggets -4.5; Over/Under:  227 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Suns +4.5, Nuggets -4.5; Over/Under:  227 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Suns +4.5, Nuggets -4.5; Over/Under:  227.5 points

Phoenix Suns:  45-37 (2nd place, Pacific Division)

Denver Nuggets:  53-29 (1st place, Northwest Division)

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Phoenix Suns:  6-4 last 10

Denver Nuggets:  6-4 last 10

The Suns finished the regular season with a 45-37 record overall and they were 17-24 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Denver Nuggets in their last game. Kevin Durant led the team in points in that game with 29 while Devin Booker was next on the team with 27 points. Devin Booker led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Kevin Durant led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 51.2% from the field, 30.4% from 3-point range, and 82.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.6 PPG against them. The Suns have an ATS record of 44-42-2 this season and their O/U record is 46-39-3.

The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 53-29 record overall and they were 34-7 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns in their last game. Jamal Murray led the team in points in that game with 34 while Nikola Jokić was next on the team with 24 points. Jamal Murray led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Nikola Jokić led the team in rebounds with 19. They were 47.5% from the field, 43.2% from 3-point range, and 86.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.5 PPG against them. The Nuggets have an ATS record of 48-39-1 this season and their O/U record is 42-45-1.

The current betting odds have the Nuggets listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 2 of a 7-game series between the 1st seeded Nuggets and the 4th seeded Suns for the 2nd round of the playoffs in the NBA Western Conference. The Nuggets are entering this game with a 1-0 series lead after crushing the Suns on their home court in game 1 by almost 20 points. The Nuggets have been a really good home team all year and it has continued in the playoffs as they have won every home game so far. The Suns were able to breeze by the Clippers in their last series, winning 4 games in a row to end the series 4-1, but they were also helped by the Clippers missing both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard for those last few games. Now the Suns have to play the number 1 seed in the West who has a really strong home advantage with the altitude and that is going to affect the Suns negatively here as they don't have much of a bench to take over in this game. The Nuggets have a lot more depth to their team and they will get another big win on their home court here to take a strong lead going into Phoenix. The best way to place a bet here is on the Nuggets to cover the spread in this game and take a 2-0 series lead.

Suns Nuggets Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Monday, May 1, 2023 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Nuggets 121 Suns 110.

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Phoenix Suns: 7-15 ATS in a road game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 8-15 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent. 31-19 OVER when the total is 220 to 229.5. 11-5 OVER as a road underdog of 6 points or less.

Denver Nuggets: 27-17 ATS in home games. 13-5 ATS against Pacific division opponents. 42-21 OVER in a home game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 15-6 OVER in all playoff games.

Phoenix Suns:  None.

Denver Nuggets:  C. Gillespie (PG) Early May - Leg.

“I’ve got to be way more careful with the ball. I've to look to either shoot the ball or make the correct pass. ... I dang got near half our turnovers. We’ll be fine. I think we've just got to play with confidence, shoot with confidence and see what happens next game.” - Kevin Durant after their loss against the Nuggets in their game on Saturday, game 1 of this series.

“Jamal just continues to add to the legend of playoff Jamal.” - Michael Malone on Jamal Murray after his team’s win against the Suns in their game on Saturday, game 1 of this series. 

PG Chris Paul

SG Devin Booker

SF Josh Okogie

PF Kevin Durant

C Deandre Ayton

PG Jamal Murray

SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF Michael Porter Jr.

PF Aaron Gordon

C Nikola Jokic

PPG: K. Durant (29.1)

APG: C. Paul (8.9)

Reb/G: D. Ayton (10)

PPG: N. Jokic (24.5)

APG: N. Jokic (9.8)

Reb/G: N. Jokic (11.8)

Coaches:

Phoenix Suns: Monty Williams (4th season)

Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone (8th season)