NBA Odds: Nuggets (even)
Expect a fast-paced game when the Phoenix Suns (29-28) head to Denver to play the Nuggets (20-36). The game gets underway at 9:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 25 and will air on FSN-AZ and Altitude.
The Nuggets lost big to the Nets 110-82 on Monday. Danilo Gallinari finished with 22 points to lead the game. The Suns, meanwhile, are coming off a 115-110 loss at the hands of the Celtics on Monday. Eric Bledsoe scored 21 points and recorded 10 assists earning his eighth double-double of the season.
There should be plenty of transition action in this game. The Nuggets rank fifth in the league in possessions per game (99.5), while the Suns are second (100.6).
The two teams have split their matchups this season. The Nuggets had the upper hand in the most recent game, a blowout 122-97 win. Arron Afflalo was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Nuggets look to improve upon their records of 20-36 Straight Up (SU) and 21-32-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 2-8 ATS over their last 10 games. Teams have a tough time keeping Denver off of the offensive glass. They rank fifth in the NBA in offensive rebounds. Expect Denver to have lots of opportunities at the line against the Suns, who are one of the worst fouling teams in the league with an average of 22.1 fouls per game.
On the other side, Phoenix has a SU record of 29-28 and an ATS record of 28-26-3. Phoenix has a record of 14-20 SU and 13-18-3 ATS against the West. They sport the third-ranked scoring offense in the league, averaging 106.1 points per game. Phoenix is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the league, converting .780 of their shots from the line. Phoenix makes opponents pay for turning the ball over, ranking fourth in points off turnovers with an average of 18.5 per game. Phoenix may be taking trips to the free throw line early and often with the Nuggets averaging a league-high 23.0 fouls per game.
Denver beat Phoenix in their most recent meeting this season, but the Suns still lead the head-to-head record over the last 10, 6-4 SU. The Suns also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4. Phoenix had the advantage in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last 10. Denver has never had the edge in all categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – DEN, ATS Winner – DEN
Notes
Phoenix is one of the top scoring teams, averaging 106.1 points per game (ranked third). Denver, on the other hand, allows 104.2 points per game (ranked 26th).
Phoenix puts up an average of 104.8 points per away game (ranked sixth). Denver ranks 28th in points allowed per home game with 103.7.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Nuggets are 12-6 on the season. When the Suns score fewer than 100, they are an underachieving 4-13.
The Denver Nuggets have an abysmal 8-30 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Phoenix Suns are 25-15 when they hit triple digits.
The Nuggets have an offensive rating of 100.3 (ranked 24th). The Suns rank 21st for their defensive rating of 104.5.
With 99.5 possessions and 1.003 points per possession, the Denver Nuggets perform worse on both metrics than the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix averages 100.6 possessions and 1.054 points per possession.
The Phoenix Suns have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking fifth in the league with an EFF% of 51.7%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Denver Nuggets have an abysmal 2-20 record.
Denver makes an average of 21.4 assists per game (ranked 17th), while Phoenix makes 20.8 assists per game (ranked 20th).
Denver makes an average of 4.8 blocks per game (ranked 14th). Phoenix ranks higher in blocks with 4.9 (ranked 10th).
Denver is ranked fifth in offensive rebounding. Phoenix ranks 20th in defensive rebounds.
Phoenix averages 8.8 steals per game, ranking fifth in the league. Denver is a subpar 5-19 when it gives up at least 8 steals.
