Sean Barnard details his preview and prediction for the Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns NBA matchup.

One of the final games of Saturday’s NBA slate is between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. These Western Conference teams sit in fifth and sixth in the standings. This is also the second half of a back-to-back for both squads following last night’s NBA Cup action.

The Nuggets enter as 2.5-point favorites and hold -148 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Suns are +124 underdogs, with the game total set at 230.5 points.

This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Saturday night matchup.

Nuggets vs. Suns Preview

Denver’s biggest storyline is Nikola Jokic’s availability. He’s questionable with a wrist sprain but hasn’t missed a game yet this season. Jokic provides elite production, averaging 29.1 points, 12.6 rebounds and 11 assists per game. The team is already without Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Julian Strawther due to injuries, and Bruce Brown is also questionable with a knee sprain.

The Nuggets are 13-5 record and are looking to bounce back from a 139-136 loss to the Spurs last night. They are 11-7 against the spread, and the over has cashed in 11 of their 18 games on the season. Jamal Murray is off to an excellent start to the season with 24 points and 6.8 assists per game, while Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson, Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanciunas have each had some nice flashes.

Denver leads the league in scoring at 124.5 points per game. It ranks second in field goal percentage, third in three-point percentage, sixth in assists, seventh in rebounds and fifth in turnovers. Opponents are scoring 115.2 points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. It ranks 17th in defensive rating, eighth in opponents’ field goal percentage and fourth in opponents’ three-point percentage.

The Phoenix Suns have turned a page on their star-driven outlook and begun to establish an organizational identity. They enter with a 12-8 record overall and are 11-4 over their past 15 games. Phoenix is 14-6 against the spread, and the under has cashed in 11 of their 20 games.

Jalen Green remains sidelined for Phoenix due to his hamstring injury. Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, Mark Williams and Jordan Goodwin are questionable, while Isaiah Livers is out. Devin Booker headlines the team with 25.8 points and 6.9 assists per game, while Dillon Brooks adds 21.1 points and sets the tone defensively.

The Suns are scoring 116.9 points per game, which ranks 18th in the NBA. They rank 16th in field goal percentage, fifth in three-point percentage and 19th in rebounds per game. Opponents are scoring 113.7 points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Phoenix ranks 12th in opponents’ field goal percentage, sixth in opponents’ three-point percentage and eighth in opponents’ rebounds allowed.

Nuggets vs. Suns Prediction, Best Bet

This will be the second time these teams face off this season, with the Nuggets winning 133-111 on Oct. 25. Phoenix has figured some things out since this point and looks like a more respectable squad.

Jokic’s status will play a major role in this game and will likely shift the odds. Rather than backing a side, I like this game to finish above the 230.5 game total.

Phoenix has increased the tempo and its defensive intensity. It’s averaging 116.9 points per game, and eclipsed 120 points in five of its last 10 contests. If Jokic is unable to captain the offense to his usual level, expect the Suns to have success generating turnovers and getting out in transition.

In addition, the Nuggets are the top scoring team in the league at 124.5 points per game. They are coming off a 139-136 loss last night and have scored 120+ in 11 of their last 13 games. Fatigue will be a factor with it being the second half of a back-to-back for both squads, but expect this to show more on the defensive end. Neither of these teams are particularly strong defensively in general, and this should especially be the case tonight.

The first game between these two teams finished with 244 points, so expect a similar output tonight.

Best Bet: Game Over 230.5 Points (-112)