The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns face off for Game 2 on Wednesday night in Talking Stick Resort Arena. It’s time to continue our NBA Playoffs odds series and make a Nuggets-Suns Game 2 prediction and pick for the second Western Conference Semifinals game in the desert.
The Nuggets are now 4-3 both straight up and against the spread in the postseason. Denver is 2-2 ATS when marked as underdogs, and have recorded two upsets so far.
The Suns are 5-2 both straight up and against the spread as well in the playoffs. Phoenix is a perfect 3-0 as favorites so far along their postseason run.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Nuggets-Suns odds.
NBA Odds: Nuggets-Suns Game 2 Odds
Denver Nuggets +5 (-110)
Phoenix Suns -5 (-110)
Over 222 Points (-110)
Under 222 Points (-110)
Why The Nuggets Could Cover The Spread
Denver kept Game 1 competitive for nearly the entire game. Barring an 11-0 run from the last minute of the third quarter to the start of the fourth, the Nuggets kept it close.
There was definitely some silver-linings that Michael Malone's group can take from their first matchup even after the loss.
For one, the Nuggets got some very balanced scoring on the offensive end. Five Nuggets reached double-digit scoring, and Paul Millsap gave them nine points off the bench in an impressive stretch.
This is a must against a Suns defense that will be keying in on Nikola Jokic. The MVP is obviously a great scorer, but he won't be able to single-handedly carry the scoring load here.
Denver needs major contributions from both Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon on the offensive end. Gordon in particular looked excellent in Game 1, scoring 18 points on 8-14 from the field.
Jokic should rebound from a subpar shooting night in Game 1. The star center shot below 45% from the field for just the second time in the postseason in Phoenix, an extremely rare occurrence. The Joker only shot below this figure eight times in the regular season, and never in back-to-back contests. Expect him to sharpen up in Game 2.
Defensively, the Nuggets have to focus on slowing the Suns inside the arc. Phoenix got in to the paint and the free-throw line at will in Game 1, scoring a combined 65 points in the painted area and from the stripe.
This is another area the Nuggets should improve in. Denver allowed the seventh least paint points in the regular season, and Phoenix attempted the second least free-throws in the NBA.
The Suns scoring should regress, and this game should be competitive for all 48 minutes this time around.
Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
The Suns are riding a wave of momentum right now after winning and covering in four straight games. Phoenix has only lost once on their home floor in the postseason so far.
Phoenix's success has come from a balanced offensive effort and lockdown defense.
The Suns currently have a whopping six players averaging double-digit scoring in the postseason, and it seems like they can get 15 points from nearly every guy that plays minutes on any given night.
Devin Booker has carried the majority of the load offensively for the Suns, averaging 28.4 points on 50.4% from the field. The Nuggets simply don't have an answer to the Suns star, and he should have another big game tonight.
Even when he or Chris Paul is doubled, the Suns have guys like Cam Johnson, Cam Payne, Jae Crowder, and Mikal Bridges to knock down the open shot. Even if one is cold, it's doubtful they all will have off nights.
Phoenix's concern should not be the offensive end tonight, as the points will come. The focus is on slowing down the newly crowned MVP on the defensive end.
Deandre Ayton and the Suns did an excellent job on Jokic in Game 1, as the big man never seemed to find a groove. Ayton might be one of the few bigs in the NBA who is not a terrible matchup on the Joker.
During the regular season, the Suns held Jokic to only 50.8% shooting, well under his season average of 56.6%. Ayton is strong enough and quick enough to hold his own on the block with one of the best post scorers in the league today.
The Suns are content to make Jokic attempt to carry the scoring load tonight, and it's unlikely he has a big enough game to carry the Nuggets to victory.
Final Nuggets-Suns Game 2 Prediction & Pick
This is a series where the Nuggets are badly missing Jamal Murray. The Suns team depth is just too much to contend with, especially when they're clicking on all cylinders in front of their home crowd. This game shouldn't be a blowout, but I expect the Suns to pull away late again to cover the spread. I'll take Phoenix to continue their excellent play and take a 2-0 series lead in to Denver.
FINAL NUGGETS-SUNS GAME 2 PREDICTION & PICK: PHOENIX SUNS -5: PHX 115, DEN 107
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