The Denver Nuggets (51-25, 19-18 Away), the league’s top shooting team, travel to face the Phoenix Suns (41-35, 25-12 Home) on Friday. Denver is playing on back-to-back days after being outplayed by the New Orleans Pelicans 107-88 at Ball Arena yesterday.
Jamal Murray led the way in defeat with 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and one steals. The Nuggets are first in the Western Conference, 3.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Phoenix won their third in a row on Wednesday at Footprint Center, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-100. Devin Booker had 29 points, leading the team. The Suns are fourth in the Western Conference.
The teams are meeting for the last time this season. After taking both of the earlier season matchups against Phoenix, the last of which was a 126-97 victory at Ball Arena on January 11, Denver will be pursuing a season sweep. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists.
Torrey Craig had 16 points in the losing effort. The Nuggets have been led this season by Jokic, who is averaging 24.6 points per game. Jokic also is contributing 11.7 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game, placing him third and fourth in the NBA, respectively.
Deandre Ayton (17.8 ppg) and Mikal Bridges (17.2) have been the primary providers for the Suns on offense. Ayton also has averaged 9.8 rebounds per game. Chris Paul has doled out 9.1 assists per game. The Nuggets rank as the most accurate team from the field in the league at 50.8%.
The Nuggets have had the advantage in the last 10 games at Footprint Center, winning six. Phoenix has won three straight at home this season. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 6-4 this season when playing on consecutive nights and 6-3 with a rest disadvantage.
The Suns are 8-1 with a rest advantage. Denver is 5-5 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +1.7 (113.8-112.1). Phoenix has a 4-6 record over the last 10, allowing 116.9 points per game on average while scoring only 115.8 (-1.1 margin).
NUGGETS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Reggie Jackson: 3.0 | 15.4 | -12.4
Points per game:
Aaron Gordon: 10.8 | 16.3 | -5.5
Rebounds per game:
Thomas Bryant: 1.3 | 5.7 | -4.4
Assists per game:
Jamal Murray: 7.8 | 6.2 | +1.6
SUNS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Kevin Durant: 28.0 | 41.1 | -13.1
Points per game:
Kevin Durant: 16.0 | 29.2 | -13.2
Rebounds per game:
Deandre Ayton: 5.5 | 9.8 | -4.3
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Phoenix Suns -8.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
