The Phoenix Suns (59-14) take a six-game winning streak into Colorado Thursday to wrap up their three-game road trip. Tip-off for the third meeting this season against the Denver Nuggets (43-30) is 9 p.m. ET at Ball Arena. Below, we look at the Suns vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Suns are coming off a 125-116 road win Wednesday over the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves. C Deandre Ayton had a career-high 35 points in the win with 14 rebounds. The Suns are a win away from clinching the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference as they lead the second-place Memphis Grizzlies by nine games with nine left to play.
The Nuggets last played Tuesday, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 127-115 at home. They are 3-4 in their last seven games. They are in sixth place in the West, the final guaranteed spot in the playoffs, and hold a 1.5-game lead over the seventh-place Timberwolves.
Suns at Nuggets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:29 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Suns +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Nuggets -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Suns +4.5 (-115) | Nuggets -4.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Suns at Nuggets key injuries
Suns (unofficial; not yet submitted)
- F Cameron Johnson (quad) out
- F Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
- G Chris Paul (thumb) out
- F Dario Saric (knee) out
Nuggets
- G Jamal Murray (knee) out
- F Michael Porter Jr. (back) out
- F Zeke Nnaji (knee) out
[tipico]
Suns at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 125, Nuggets 119
Money line
It is surprising to see the Suns as underdogs at this point in the season. They have the best record in the NBA and the best road record. In fact, their road record is better than any other team’s home record. They are 6-3 this season as a road underdog.
This is the only meeting in Denver between the two teams in the regular season. The Nuggets are 21-14 at home, but only 1-3 in their last four at home.
Take the SUNS (+145).
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Against the spread
The Suns have covered the spread in five of their last six games. They are 22-13 ATS on the road this season.
The Nuggets are 14-21 ATS at home this season, making them a bad bet at home ATS, especially against a dominant road team. They are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
The money line is a better bet on the Suns because of the value, but here you get a little leeway. Take the SUNS +4.5 (-115).
Over/Under
The Suns are rolling offensively. They have put up more than 120 points in all of their last six games, averaging 130.2 per game. Their opponents have scored over 110 points in six of the last seven games.
The Nuggets have allowed 115.9 points to their opponents on average over their last 12 games. They have scored more than 120 only twice in their last eight games.
Take OVER 232.5 (-107).
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