Free NBA Pick: Nuggets vs. Suns NBA Odds
Looking for Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Nuggets taking on the Suns on Wednesday, June 9th, 2021, at the Phoenix Suns Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Nuggets Suns matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 2
(0-1) Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns (1-0)
Date: Wednesday, June 9th
Time: 9:30 PM EST
Venue: Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
NBA Moneyline Odds: Nuggets +270 | Suns -225
NBA Betting Odds: Suns -6
NBA Betting Total: 222
For fans who hoped for an exciting slate of games on Monday, they had to wait for the second match featuring the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns who offered one of the most entertaining postseason contests thus far.
The Suns won the match 122-105 and while the score looks lopsided the match was a back and forth affair that didn’t shift to Phoenix until the end of the third quarter.
Wednesday, June 9th the teams play Game 2 with the Nuggets looking to even the series prior to heading to Denver for Games 3 and 4.
Denver Nuggets
Through three quarters of Game 1, it looked like the Nuggets would win as they consistently pulled ahead to close quarters. Nikola Jokic as per usual led the way with 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks.
Yet, the Suns’ strategy to make him more of a scorer and task him with guarding Deandre Ayton to fatigue him worked effectively. In the third quarter, he was 3 of 10 from the field and missed both shot attempts in the six minutes he played in the final frame.
The Nuggets reserve unit has the advantage and delivered, outscoring the Suns 29 to 23 led by JaMychal Green’s double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
But the issue was the starting unit who were outscored 99 to 76 despite Aaron Gordon and Facundo Campazzo both upping their Round 1 scoring from 12.5 to 18 and 9.3 to 14 points respectively.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 15 on 6 of 13 but Denver will need more from him moving forward. Monte Morris was the x-factor in the Blazers series but was held to 1 of 10 for two points
In what might be a bit of gamesmanship the Nuggets did NOT submit an injury report which begs the question whether one or both of PJ Dozier (adductor strain) and Will Barton (hamstring strain) will be available for Game 2.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns took Game 1 utilizing precisely the same strategy they did to collect the second-best record in the NBA this season – – balanced scoring and relying on Chris Paul to manage the game.
On the latter point, at 6:05 of the third quarter Denver held a six point lead from that point on Paul put his stamp on the game. In two minutes he scored two points, grabbed two rebounds and dished a dime and sat with Phoenix now leading 73-72.
In the final frame he took over scoring 14 points of his 21 points and finished with 11 assists, six rebounds, and a steal.
Mikal Bridges offered the stand out performance of the evening with 23 points on 8 of 12 (4 of 8 from deep), five rebounds, five assists, two steals, a block and stellar defense.
Ayton provided a solid counter to Jokic with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds while Devin Booker and Jae Crowder scored 21 and 14 points respectively.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Nuggets are 7-3 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The teams are 5-5 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 7-3 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns NBA Prediction:
Game 2 adjustments are pretty obvious — expect Jokic to be more active at controlling the game and intent on getting Ayton in early foul trouble.
On the latter point, expect the Nuggets as a whole to be more offensively aggressive with a view of getting to the line (Suns won that battle 20 to 6 in Game 1).
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nuggets +6
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