Nuggets vs Suns Preview: Phoenix Fight for Survival in Game 6
Nuggets Look to Keep Rolling
Is It Lights Out for Suns?
The Phoenix Suns will be fighting for survival when they play host to the Denver Nuggets for Game 6 of their second round playoff series. Let’s jump into our Nuggets vs Suns Preview and see what we can expect in the latest instalment of this new-found rivalry.
The Nuggets offense was again too much for the Suns to handle in Game 5 as they erupted for 39 points in the third quarter en route to a 118-102 win. Denver is averaging 115.6 points per game in the series, with Game 2 being the only time the Nuggets didn’t score at least 114 points – though, they still won that game by double-digits.
Meanwhile, the Suns finally saw some shooting regression from Devin Booker and the outcome was them putting up their second lowest total of the series so far. Phoenix knows they need to match fire with fire in this series, but it seems the strain on their superstar duo is finally proving too big of a hurdle to overcome.
Despite the lopsided nature of Game 5 the Suns have opened as 3.5-point favorites for Game 6 in Phoenix. The full game total for this one is set at 226.5 points.
Jokic Playing at the Height of His Powers
Nikola Jokic has firmly established himself as the best player on the floor in this series, which is an impressive feat when sharing the floor with Kevin Durant and a red-hot Booker.
His playmaking and scoring inside is causing all sorts of problems for Phoenix to try and stop. The two-time MVP is averaging 35.0 points, 13.8 rebounds and 10.0 assists this series and is being utilized far more aggressively in post-up situations against Deandre Ayton.
That level of physicality is simply wearing down his Suns opposite and forcing Suns coach Monty Williams to extend play time to Jock Landale in order to compensate for Ayton’s shortcomings at both ends of the floor. By doing so, Jokic has helped remove the Suns third-best option on offense and is adding to the strain on Durant and Booker to carry the load for Phoenix as primary scorers.
With Jokic dictating things on his term on offense the floor is opening up for those around him to play their part to perfection. Michael Porter Jr shot 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in Game 5 as he went off for 19 points while Jamal Murray was also able to go back to playing more off ball and was able to also drop 19 points on an efficient 7-for-15 from the field.
So long as the Serbian superstar is able to operate as a playmaker inside the paint the Suns defense is going to be forced to make decision on whether to double him inside and leave open shooters for him to find, or to let him go to work on a helpless Ayton that simply can’t find a way to stop him from getting to his spots.
Suns Lineups Crucial to Success
Coach Monty Williams reverted back to Josh Okogie in the starting lineup for Game 5 but quickly abandoned that plan as he tried to find a balance in his lineups to have them produce an efficient offense for the full 48 minutes.
The reality is the Suns simply need more scoring to keep up with Denver and if that means sacrificing on defense it’s something they have to live with given the way the series has panned out so far. Chris Paul remains on the NBA injury report for Game 6 so it will be another start for Cam Payne.
That should result in a more uptempo offense and one that sees Booker remain as the primary playmaker in pick-and-roll sets. Surrounding him with shooters like TJ Warren and Terrence Ross is what will force the Nuggets defense to have to respect the perimeter man as opposed to blitzing the ball and collapsing on the midrange.
The Suns have looked their best when pushing off makes and misses as opposed to trying to run halfcourt sets against a ready defense, which again involves maximizing the scoring threats available in transition to force Denver’s defense to play away from its strengths.
Pace-and-space has to be the approach for Phoenix, but whether their legs will allow them to execute at the level required to beat the number one seed in the West is the biggest question going into this game.
The Suns will be desperate and hungry in front of a raucous crowd, but ultimately things are getting too much for Booker and Durant who have had to log ridiculous minutes so far these playoffs.
Grabbing the +3.5 on the Nuggets is a great price when you consider they closed -7.5 at home in Game 5. While the home court advantage has been strong these playoffs the 11.0 point flip is simply too much and leaves some good value on the Nuggets as a result.
That’s all for our Suns vs Nuggets Preview for Game 6. Be sure to check back for all your NBA scores today and more at PointSpreads.com.
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