The Phoenix Suns try to rebound against the Denver Nuggets Monday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. Tip from Ball Arena is set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Suns vs. Nuggets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Series: Nuggets lead 1-0
The Suns were dominated in Game 1 as they fell 125-107. F Kevin Durant did his part with 29 points and 14 boards, but it was his 7 turnovers that he was more focused on after the game. The Suns turned the ball over 16 times, which led to 18 points for Denver. Phoenix only forced 9 turnovers and capitalized with 7 points.
Denver G Jamal Murray was the star in Game 1, dropping 34 points with 9 dimes and 5 boards. He was on fire from distance, going 6-for-10 from behind the arc. C Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 19 boards and 5 assists, and F Aaron Gordon had 23 points. Denver set the track-meet tempo and continuously hit shots.
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Suns at Nuggets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:26 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Suns +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Nuggets -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Suns +4.5 (-115) | Nuggets -4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Suns at Nuggets key injuries
Suns
- None
Nuggets
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Suns at Nuggets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 121, Suns 114
Moneyline
Denver has youth on its side in the Mile High City, and Phoenix will have to take care of the ball and slow down the tempo. The Nuggets have beaten the Suns 3 straight times in Denver. They’re a deep team, and they went 34-7 at home during the regular season. This series will go 6 or 7, but Denver protects home-court advantage Monday.
But we’ll PASS on the ML and look to the spread.
Against the spread
It’s tough to use recent historical data because Jokic didn’t play in the final 2 regular-season meetings, which the Suns won. And G Devin Booker was out for Denver’s Jan. 11 rout at home. The Suns are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings with Denver. They didn’t look comfortable in the thin Colorado air, and because of that, Denver has arguably the biggest home-court advantage in the league.
I’ll LEAN NUGGETS -4.5 (-105).
Over/Under
Five of the last 7 games have gone Over between the teams. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Denver as well. The Suns haven’t scored fewer than 107 points in the last 10 games, and they’ll probably need that for the Over to cash. So I’m cool with the OVER 228.5 (-115).
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