Denver Nuggets (53-29) at Phoenix Suns (45-37)
Game Info: Friday, May 5, 2023 at 10:00 p.m. EST (Footprint Center)
Betting Odds: Suns (-4) / Over/Under (225.5)
Pick: Suns (-4)
Friday night's 2nd NBA Playoff game brings us a vital Game 3 between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns, with the Suns looking to avoid the dreaded 0-3 deficit.
Denver could not have asked to start the Western Conference Semifinals any better than they have, winning the first 2 games by a combined 28 points. Heading into Phoenix to play the next 2 games, it will be quite interesting to see if the Nuggets can continue to figure out the Suns questions that they are asking. Although the defense in Game 2 ramped up big time for the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic put in one of the most impressive Playoff performances so far this Postseason, scoring 39 points and adding in 16 boards and 5 assists. The Suns will surely need to come up with a better game plan if they are to dig themselves out of a 0-2 hole to take down this scorching Denver squad. As we inch closer to tipoff, can the Nuggets take an emphatic 3-0 series lead to all but send the Suns home packing?
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Phoenix has put themselves in a situation where this game is basically a win or go home game, with it being virtually impossible to come back from a 0-3 deficit. When the Suns traded for Kevin Durant, many thought that they were the team to beat out of the West, but they have not been able to put that on full display in the first 2 games against Denver. Even though the likes of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Deandre Ayton can carry an offense at times, I find it hard to believe that the Suns can win a Championship if they are going to consistently get less than 10 points combined from their bench rotation. I would understand the bench not producing if they were not getting any minutes, but 4 players came off the bench and clocked 10+ minutes in Game 2 and still, the bench only scored 4 points. Head Coach Monty Williams will need much more from them if they are to turn this series on its head.
Betting trends to consider in this matchup:
- The under is 13-6-1 in the Nuggets last 20 games
- The under is 32-25-1 in the game following a Nuggets win
- The Suns are 31-24-1 ATS when playing as the favorite
I find it massively unlikely that the Suns will not put their best forward in this game. I am a firm believer in the Nuggets chances at winning a title this year, but this game is not going to go their way. I expect the Suns to come out hot early and to carry that momentum into the rest of the game en route to a key win. Give me KD and Booker to carry the load to get back into the thick of this series!
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