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Game 1 between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets is due to tip-off on Monday, June 7th. It's a highly anticipated matchup, as the Suns have been red hot all year, and the Nuggets just came off a series win over the Portland Trail Blazers, giving Denver a boost of confidence. Devin Booker aims to light it up, and Nikola Jokic looks to continue doing it all for his team.
The Suns and Nuggets match up well against each other, which bodes well for an exciting playoff series. Even so, the Phoenix Suns have the edge in this one, as they have the tools necessary to make a deep run this year. From an elite backcourt to an impressive frontcourt, the Suns stack up well against the Denver Nuggets.
It'll be interesting to see how this series plays out, but the Suns are the higher seed for a reason. They have a few advantages that give them the advantage, and a center ready to prove himself against Jokic. With that said, here are three reasons why the Suns will beat the Nuggets in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Devin Booker will be on fire
Booker just finished lighting it up against the Los Angeles Lakers and he should carry that momentum into the second round. With Jamal Murray out of the lineup, the Nuggets don't have anyone that can match Booker's offensive attack. The Suns' guard should be able to take advantage of Denver's vulnerable backcourt.
He's a prolific scorer and is clutch in the big moments. The Suns will lean on Booker throughout this series, as he gives them their best chances of succeeding. After watching Damian Lillard (unsuccessfully) destroy the Nuggets, we should be seeing a different outcome for the Suns with Booker leading the way.
Chris Paul's veteran leadership
At 36 years old, Chris Paul keeps proving Father Time wrong. Paul has been able to average 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game this year. He continues to prove that age is just a number as he's become the veteran leader of this Suns team. Paul does it all for Phoenix, as he's solid defensively, provides consistent scoring, and is still one of the best ball facilitators in the league.
Since joining the Suns, he's helped Deandre Ayton improve as a center while allowing Devin Booker to carry the bulk of the work on his shoulders. Paul is typically the one doing all of the carrying, but with Phoenix, Booker has become their superstar and Paul plays as a perfect compliment in the backcourt. Look for the Suns' point guard to dominate this series, as Facundo Campazzo is going to be taken to school in this series.
Deandre Ayton holds down the paint
Nikola Jokic is arguably the best center in the NBA right now. He provides consistent scoring, dominates the glass, and finds the open man. He's like an oversized point guard that can do it all. On the other hand, the Suns have Deandre Ayton, who is a rising star in the center position. He's incredibly consistent and just put on a solid performance against Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond.
Ayton is coming into this series on cloud nine and should be full of confidence for his matchup against Nikola Jokic. It'll be a battle down low, but Ayton has the size and skill to hold his own against Denver's big-man. Look for Ayton to be aggressive, as his performance will be crucial for the Suns' success.
