In a highly anticipated showdown, the reigning NBA champions Denver Nuggets are set to host the Phoenix Suns in the Mile High City for a Western Conference semifinal rematch. Led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have been on a brilliant six-game winning streak, putting them in the fight for the West lead with Minnesota and Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the Suns arrive in Denver looking to reorient themselves, having stumbled in four of their last six games. Their only meeting this season, on December 1, 2023, where the Nuggets emerged victorious with a 119-111 triumph over the Suns.
Anything but a victory
On a night marked by sloppy ball handling, the Phoenix Suns struggled to maintain control, committing 21 turnovers, while the Oklahoma City Thunder presented a stark contrast with just 5 turnovers. The Suns’ inability to protect the ball proved costly as they suffered their fourth loss in six outings. The absence of key player Devin Booker, sidelined with an ankle injury, was palpable, despite Bradley Beal’s return from injury, albeit marred by an ejection in a recent game against Houston, and Jusuf Nurkic’s franchise record 31 (!!!) rebounds. , there wasn’t enough firepower in the lineup to meet the expectations of the media, fans, and, frankly, the team. They also couldn’t contain the explosive performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dominated with 35 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, on an impressive 55.6% shooting rate. Jalen Williams also made a significant contribution for the Oklahoma City Thunder, adding 22 points to secure a decisive victory against the turnover-prone Suns.
The positive point of Sunday night’s game in Arizona, the 2014 MVP, Kevin Durant, etched his name deeper into NBA history. Durant’s stellar performance vaulted him past Joe Johnson, securing sole possession of 18th place on the all-time three-pointers list. With 1,979 three-pointers under his belt, Durant is now eyeing the next milestone held by the legendary Dirk Nowitzki at 1,982. Entering the court with impressive season averages of 27.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5 .6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, Durant demonstrated his efficiency by shooting 53.0% from the field and an impressive 42.0% from beyond the arc in 53 games. Meanwhile, the Suns, currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference, are 35-26 in 61 games heading into Denver.
The winner goes to spoil it
On a historic night for basketball, LeBron James etched his name in the annals of the NBA as the first player to reach the remarkable milestone of 40,000 points. However, despite the opportunity, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets emerged as spoilers, replicating their recent success against the Los Angeles Lakers, both this season and in the 2023 Western Conference Finals. Although the Lakers Typically putting up a tough fight against Denver, the Nuggets demonstrated their ability to elevate their game down the stretch, something the Lakers struggled to match. In a post-match interview with ESPN, Jokic reflected on their performance, “They had control in the first half, they had very good energy. We didn’t play very well in the first half, they were getting to the paint, they had open looks… We were better in second half we scored. 124 points, which is a lot. I’m just happy we won the game.”
In a discouraging eighth straight loss to the Denver Nuggets, including playoff games, the Lakers succumbed once again, this time by a score of 124-114. Despite an eight-point halftime lead fueled by strong defense and exceptional ball movement, the Lakers found themselves unable to resist Denver’s elite shooting and struggled in crucial moments, tarnishing this which could have been a night of celebration for LeBron. Echoes of last year’s WCF lingered as the Lakers mirrored their previous habits of keeping the game close early on, only to see Denver take control in the latter stages, exploiting defensive vulnerabilities. However, shooting difficulties late in the game and defensive breakdowns allowed Jamal Murray, who scored 24 points, including nine in the final minutes, to Nikola Jokic, with 35 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and to Michael Porter Jr., with a perfect shot. 10-10 from the field and 5 of 5 from beyond the arc, to capitalize on the Lakers’ deficiencies and secure a decisive victory for the Nuggets as they continue their Western Conference fight for playoff contention.
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Full Game Side Bet
Rating:
Not only have the Nuggets put together an impressive eight-game winning streak, but they have also shown consistency in covering the spread, with four coverages in their last five matchups. Additionally, the Nuggets’ record against the Phoenix Suns suggests a favorable outcome, going 8-3 against the spread (ATS) since the start of last season. Given their momentum, recent performance, and historic dominance against Phoenix, taking the Nuggets in coverage seems like a smart choice, as Devin Booker’s health remains a mystery and Denver’s altitude advantage still plays a role. postman.
Prediction: Denver Nuggets will cover
Total choice of the complete game
Rating:
The Phoenix Suns, with an overall O/U record of 27-34 and a road record of 11-17. Likewise the Denver Nuggets, with an overall over/under record of 23-37-1 and a home record of 11-18. Additionally, the Nuggets’ deliberate, slower style of play, led by big man Nikola Jokic, often results in a more controlled tempo that tends to control the pace of scoring. Given the Suns’ absence of Devin Booker, a significant offensive contributor, it becomes even more likely that the Suns will struggle to match their usual offensive production. I just don’t trust the Suns, and I will continue not to.
Prediction: under
