Defending NBA Champion Nuggets Getting Healthy with Suns on Tap
Nuggets vs Suns NBA Bets: Phoenix Slight 1.5-Point Home Favorite
NBA Western Conference contenders Denver and Phoenix will square off Friday (10 p.m. ET) at the Footprint Center.
The Suns opened as slight 1.5-point favorites but have moved to 2-point underdogs (-110) and +110 on the moneyline, while the Nuggets are -2 (-110) on the spread and -130 to win outright. The projected total is 225.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under).
What should bettors expect? Here are some tips before placing your Nuggets vs Suns NBA bets.
Nuggets vs Suns 
Date & Time:
Location: Footprint Center; Phoenix
Streaming: ESPN
Betting Trends
The Denver Nuggets are 7-11-1, including only 2-8-1 over their last 11 games. They’re also just 2-8 ATS away from home. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns are 9-8-1 ATS, including 4-1 over their last five games.
The total has gone Over in 12 of Phoenix’s 18 games. That’s the third highest Over/Under NBA rate (66.7%) this NBA season. Remember that for the sake of your Nuggets vs Suns NBA bets.
Getting Closer to Whole
Following a brief, albeit noticeable, cold stretch, the Denver Nuggets are getting back on track. The Nuggets (13-6) have won three straight since losing five of seven.
Highlighting Wednesday’s 134-124 victory over the Houston Rockets was guard Jamal Murray, who scored 16 points in his first game back from a hamstring injury. The Nuggets had gone 6-5 in Murray’s absence following a 6-1 start. They enjoyed one of their most efficient outings in his return, registering 37 assists to just three turnovers.
Center Nikola Jokic, who’d sat out Monday’s 113-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the second half of a back-to-back, contributed 32 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists for his league-leading seventh triple-double of the season. All other NBA players had combined for just eight entering Wednesday.
The Nuggets remain among the league’s teams to beat, with odds of +235 to win the NBA Western Conference Finals and +425 to defend their NBA title. Only the Boston Celtics (+380) began Thursday with better NBA odds.
Health remains arguably Denver’s biggest obstacle. While both Murray and Jokic (lower back) are back, they remain without forward Aaron Gordon. Gordon, who’s averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds, has missed the last three games with a heel injury and is questionable for Friday. Be sure to check on his status before making any Nuggets vs Suns NBA bets.
Waiting on Beal
The Phoenix Suns have begun to kick things in gear after an underwhelming start. Wednesday’s 112-105 loss to the Toronto Raptors snapped a seven-game winning streak, which they’d used to take over the lead atop the Pacific Division. Kevin Durant scored 30 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, for Phoenix (11-7) after missing two games with a foot injury. A 3-point favorite, Phoenix failed to cover the spread for the first time in five games.
Unfortunately for Phoenix, Bradley Beal remains out with a lower back sprain. Beal, one of the NBA’s biggest offseason acquisitions, has been limited to just five NBA games, none since Nov. 12. The three-time All-Star is averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Of course, Durant and Booker have helped keep Phoenix formidable. The Suns continue to operate efficiently, ranking seventh in the NBA in scoring (116.4 PPG) and tied for 12th in field-goal percentage (47.4). They’ve beaten teams by an average of 3.2 points, which is also near the top of the league.
Oddsmakers have reacted accordingly, pricing the Suns +320 to win the Western Conference — second only to Denver — and +650 to win the NBA championship. That’s the fourth-highest price on the board.
Handicapping the Game
The Nuggets have had the upper hand on the Suns of late, with wins in four of the last six meetings. The defending NBA champions are also 7-2 ATS in the previous nine meetings.
This is essentially a pick ’em, and oddsmakers are giving a slight edge to Phoenix for being the home team. The Nuggets are just 4-6 SU on the road compared to 9-0 at home.
That said, with any NBA regular-season game, especially back-to-backs — both NBA teams are scheduled to play Saturday — it’s important to monitor who plays and who doesn’t. Keep in mind, that both teams have been dealing with injuries.
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