The Denver Nuggets (36-16) will travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to challenge the Phoenix Suns (21-31). Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020, and can be seen on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last game. The Suns (3-point underdogs) defeated the Houston Rockets 127-91, while the Nuggets (9.5-point underdog) beat the Utah Jazz 98-95. The Phoenix game went 1 point over the projected point total of 217, while the Denver game finished 24 points under the projected point total of 217.
Denver dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (below their season average of 25.3) and a free throw rate of 0.144 (matching their season average). Utah recorded marks of 15.2 and 0.105, respectively, for those same stats. Phoenix, meanwhile, dominated nearly every facet of their game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 32.3 (above their season average of 21.9) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.656 (above their season average of 0.524). For those same stats, Houston was 16.3 and 0.406, respectively. Phoenix rallied around Kelly Oubre Jr., who recorded 39 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic played a massive role in the victory for Denver, collecting 30 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists on his way to his 10th triple-double this year.
In their three contests this year, the Nuggets have won all three. The two teams combined to put up 224 points in their most recent game, which was just over the projected point total of 219. Denver won 113-111 but was unable to cover as a 2.5-point favorite. Denver’s 0.647 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Phoenix, who had a rate of 0.557. Jokic put up a triple-double in the victory, with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Of the Nuggets’ 52 games, 30 have finished under the projected point total. Denver is 36-16 straight up (SU), but they are just 23-23-6 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Denver, games featuring the Suns have gone over the total 52.9 percent of the time. Further, Phoenix is 21-31 SU and 24-26-1 ATS.
The Nuggets’ Jokic has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 27 points,10.0 rebounds,8.8 assists,1.8 steals,1.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Oubre Jr. has averaged 22 points,7.4 rebounds during that same time frame for the Suns.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns ATS Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Suns, ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Denver ranks fourth in second chance points per game (14.6) while Phoenix ranks 22nd (12.3).
- The Nuggets rank 13th in blocks allowed per game (4.9) while the Suns rank 25th (5.6).
- Denver ranks 10th in steals per game (8.1) while Phoenix ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (8.0).
- Phoenix ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (31.9) while Denver ranks 12th (33.0).
- The Suns average 27.0 assists per game, which ranks second in the league. The Nuggets rank 19th in assists allowed per game (24.6).
- The Suns rank fourth in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while the Nuggets rank 14th (16.7).
- Denver averages 49.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (49.9).
- Phoenix is 7-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Denver is 13-1.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Nuggets are 33-11 and the Suns are 20-25.
- Phoenix is 10-15-1 ATS at home, while Denver is 12-11-3 ATS on the road.
- Of the Nuggets’ 26 road games, they have 14 unders and 12 overs.
- In 26 home games, the Suns have 15 overs and 11 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Denver and Phoenix have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Suns are 1-4.
- The Nuggets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.8, up from 3.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 109.4 points per game (3.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 113.2 points per game (0.3 below their season average).
