Free NBA Pick: Suns vs. Nuggets NBA Odds
Looking for Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Suns taking on the Nuggets on Sunday, December 25th, at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Suns-Nuggets matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(19-14) Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (20-11)
Date: Sunday, December 25th
Time: 10:30 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
NBA Moneyline Odds: Suns +167 | Nuggets -186 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Nuggets 4.5
NBA Betting Total: 230.5
- *Click Here* Check out our Live Betting Odds for this game!
- *Click Here* Check out our Updated Sportsbook Bonuses for today!
- SCROLL DOWN FOR our Suns Nuggets Free Pick!
The closing match of the holiday slate features two Western teams who have battled to sit atop the Conference with the Denver Nuggets hosting the reeling Phoenix Suns. It’s the 20th Christmas Day appearance of the Suns and the eighth for the Nuggets.
This is the first of four scheduled meetings between the clubs with Denver hosting again on January 11th while Phoenix will host on March 31st and April 6th.
Both teams last played Friday with the Suns getting routed 100-125 by the Grizzlies while the Nuggets defeated the Blazers 120-107.
Last season the clubs played three times with Phoenix winning two of the three contests. The Suns hold the all-time record having bested the Nuggets in 100 of their 185 matches.
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker missed his third consecutive game and his absence was notable as Phoenix got routed yet again.
One game after the apparent feud between head coach Monty Williams and Deandre Ayton heated back up the latter led the Suns with 18 points.
Williams had an interesting quote post-game that spoke to the Suns’ resiliency and toughness…
“We got to get back chasing something and right now I feel like the prey, I don’t like that feeling. We got to get our edge back right from the jump. “They just put their hands on us (Grizzlies). Their mentality was we may lose the game, but we are not going to lose the fight and they won both tonight.” – Williams
Opponents score 111.1 points ranking 10th while they limit their foes’ shooting to 47.0% from the field and 36.5% from the perimeter ranking 15th and 24th respectively.
As for their offense, Phoenix still ranks high but they’ve slipped dramatically from where they were through the initial month to six weeks of play when they ranked in the top three of all these categories.
After the recent swoon, they are averaging 115.2 points per game (10th) holding opponents to 47.0% from the field (15th) and 37.5% from the perimeter (7th).
Devin Booker (groin) and Cameron Payne (foot) are questionable. Jae Crowder (trade request), and Cameron Johnson (knee) are out.
Denver Nuggets
Voter fatigue always seeps into MVP voting but Nikola Jokic is making a very solid argument to three-peat. Case in point — the Nuggets outscore opponents by 11.1 points per 100 possessions with an offensive rating of 122.6 and 111.4 defensive rating with Jokic on the floor.
When he sits the ratings shift to 101 (offensive) and 115 (defensive) and get outscored by 14 points per 100 possessions. That means
So the on-off variance for Jokic is 25 points per 100 possessions!
Denver ranks eighth in scoring averaging 115.6 points per game, second in proficiency from the field: 50.6% and possesses the best perimeter efficiency of 38.9%.
There is ample work to do defensively, and for as bad as the numbers look they are improving as their recent wins proved particularly versus the Grizzlies limiting them to 91 points.
Denver ranks 17th for opponent scoring allowing 113.7 points per game, while foes shoot 48.6% from the field and 36.0% from the perimeter ranking 27th and 18th overall.
Jamal Murray (foot inflammation) and Zeke Nnaji (finger sprain) are probable while Jeff Green (left finger sprain/hand fracture) and Collin Gillespie (leg fracture) are out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Suns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The Nuggets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The Suns are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver’s last 6 games.
Free Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Prediction:
If the Suns take their coach’s words to heart they’ll come out with physicality and I’m not sure the Nuggets are the team to get chippy with as they can give as good as they get.
It’s commonplace to see Jokic with scratches all over his arms because teams try to stop him from gaining rebounds or dropping one of his many exceptional dimes.
While Denver hasn’t demonstrated defensive prowess on a consistent basis they are capable of locking down for stretches and have done that repeatedly in clutch time.
Frequent readers know the Nuggets are my pick to win the West (Grizzlies are my dark horse) so none of this is surprising. And while I commend Monty for trying to rile up his squad he’s forgetting their grittiest player is waiting to be traded (Crowder).
Suffice to say I expect a Nuggets victory and for them to cover.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nuggets ATS
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!