PHOENIX – Tonight is a big check for the Phoenix Suns (14-14) as they give the impression of being to shake off per week and extra of disappointing play on the most important stage of the NBA common season towards the Denver Nuggets (16- 11) at Footprint. Heart.
The Suns are coming off a 117-90 loss to Denver on Monday night time on the highway – and can look to bounce again in a giant method tonight.
This recreation additionally serves as a doubtlessly unusual reminder of final season – because the Suns entered the Christmas recreation on the identical rating of 14-14 earlier than heading right into a recreation towards a former playoff foe.
A quick overview of the rubber match that adopted:
Nikola Jokic – winner of three of the final 4 NBA MVP awards – has someway come out stronger than ever this season.
The 7-foot phenom is averaging a career-high 30.9 PPG, whereas additionally posting a close to triple-double mark of 12.5 RPG and 9.7 APG.
Jokic can also be taking pictures almost 57% from the sector on 20 makes an attempt per recreation – and over 50% from three-point vary.
This efficiency on the offensive facet of the ball at this degree of effectivity isn’t seen – and this might find yourself being the very best season ever on the offensive facet of the ball.
The Suns have turn into accustomed to Jokic’s game-changing footwork, ending skill and superior IQ over the previous few seasons – and it’ll as soon as once more be an uphill climb to include one of many best gamers of all time .
The Suns benefited from gamers who stepped up over the previous two Christmas video games — Landry Shamet’s 31-point showcase in 2022 after an damage to Devin Booker early within the recreation towards Denver, and the 23-point outburst and 19 rebounds from Chimizie Metu final. season.
Phoenix will as soon as once more flip to a doubtlessly deeper bench tonight after being with out Booker once more tonight – the third straight recreation he’ll miss.
May Monte Morris – who began his profession in Denver – be the appropriate alternative?
Morris has but to have a real “breakout” recreation in his brief time in Phoenix – however his IQ, impeccable timing and talent to make catches make him an inexpensive option to again up the Brad Beal duo /Kevin Durant. .
As a lot because the Suns want a win — and as good as it will be to finish a three-game shedding streak that day — it simply appears improper to come back again to defeat Denver simply two days after struggling an enormous collapse in second half towards them.
If Morris, Royce O’Neale and Tyus Jones might step up, it appears way more possible, however the Nuggets are beginning to hit their stride of late. It is also tough to face Jokic in a match of this magnitude – with elements such because the rating race at stake.
Suns-Nuggets is predicted to tip off shortly after 8:30 p.m. native time this night and shall be simulcast on ESPN/ABC.
