Nuggets vs Suns Prediction Game 5 NBA Playoffs 5/9
- Lm Tipster
- May 9, 2023, 8:11:06 AM
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Preview
The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets will face off in Game 5 of the West Semifinals with the series tied 2-2. This game will take place on May 9, 2023, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, and is set to tip-off at 7:00 PM ET. The Denver Nuggets are the favorites with a -5.5 spread.
Phoenix Suns: Offense, Defense, and Injuries
The Phoenix Suns have been impressive in the playoffs, winning two games in a row against the Denver Nuggets after dropping the first two games. In the last two games, the Suns' offense has been on fire, scoring 121 and 129 points, respectively. Devin Booker has been the standout player for the Suns in the playoffs, averaging 26.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. Deandre Ayton has also been instrumental, averaging 16.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Defensively, the Suns have been solid, holding the Nuggets to under 115 points in three out of the four games in this series. In the playoffs, the Suns are allowing 107.3 points per game, which is the fifth-best mark among playoff teams. The Suns have been one of the most well-rounded teams in the playoffs, ranking in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
The Suns will be without their star point guard, Chris Paul, who has been ruled out for Game 5 due to a hamstring injury. His absence will undoubtedly hurt the Suns' offense, but they have shown that they can still score without him.
Denver Nuggets: Offense, Defense, and Injuries
The Denver Nuggets have had an impressive season, finishing first in the Western Conference with a 53-29 record. In the playoffs, they have been solid, winning two out of the first four games in this series against the Suns. Offensively, the Nuggets are led by the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game in the playoffs. Michael Porter Jr. has also been a solid contributor, averaging 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Defensively, the Nuggets have struggled, allowing 112.3 points per game in the playoffs, which is the fourth-worst mark among playoff teams. The Nuggets have allowed the Suns to score over 120 points in each of the last two games, and they will need to tighten up their defense if they want to win Game 5.
The Nuggets have no reported injuries heading into Game 5, which is good news for them.
Prediction
In terms of the spread, the Nuggets are favored by 5.5 points, but our experts predict that the Suns will cover the spread or even win the game outright. The Suns have been on fire offensively in the last two games, and they have shown that they can score without Chris Paul. The Nuggets have struggled defensively, and they have not been able to contain the Suns in the last two games. We expect the Suns to keep their offensive momentum going and cover the spread or even win the game.
Pick: Suns +5.5
