Suns vs Nuggets Prediction Game 3 Prediction 5/5
- Lm Tipster
- May 4, 2023, 7:23:43 PM
© Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview: Nuggets vs Suns (May 5, 2023) Pregame
The Denver Nuggets will visit the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference second round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Nuggets won the last matchup 97-87 on May 2 led by 39 points from NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, while Devin Booker scored 35 points for the Suns. The Suns are 30-22 in conference play, averaging 113.6 points and have outscored opponents by 2.0 points per game. The Nuggets are 34-18 in Western Conference play and are led by Jokic who is scoring 24.5 points per game and averaging 11.8 rebounds. Denver is second in the Western Conference with 28.9 assists per game led by Jokic averaging 9.8. The Suns will look to bounce back and overcome their 0-2 deficit in this pivotal matchup against the Nuggets. Pundits, experts, and NBA picks computers are all interested in weighing in on this game with their predictions. Stay tuned for expert NBA picks, NBA picks and parlays, and NBA picks with spread to enjoy the action.
Nuggets: Offensive Analysis
The Nuggets have been on a roll in the playoffs, sweeping their first-round series against the Trail Blazers and starting off the second round with two wins against the Suns. Their offense has been a key factor in their success, and they will look to continue that trend in Game 3 against the Suns. Denver has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the league this season, averaging 115.6 points per game (ranked 11th) and shooting 50.2% from the field (ranked 1st). They have a well-rounded offensive attack, with Nikola Jokic leading the way as their top scorer with 24.5 points per game. Jokic has been a difficult matchup for the Suns, as he dominated in Game 2 with 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. In addition to Jokic, the Nuggets have other weapons on offense, including Jamal Murray, who is averaging 21.2 points per game in the playoffs. Murray is a potent scorer from the perimeter, shooting 46.4% from beyond the arc in the postseason. Michael Porter Jr. is another player who can make an impact on offense, as he is averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 51.9% from the field. Denver's offense thrives on ball movement, with the team averaging 28.5 assists per game (ranked 2nd in the league). Jokic is the primary facilitator, averaging 8.3 assists per game, but other players such as Murray and Facundo Campazzo can also create for their teammates. The Nuggets' offense operates efficiently, with an effective field goal percentage of 57.1% (ranked 1st). The Suns will need to step up their defense to slow down Denver's offense. Phoenix has allowed 111.7 points per game in the playoffs (ranked 7th), but they have the potential to improve on that end of the court. Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder will be tasked with guarding Murray and Porter Jr., while Deandre Ayton will have to slow down Jokic. In conclusion, the Nuggets have a potent offense that has carried them through the playoffs so far. With Jokic leading the way, and Murray and Porter Jr. providing additional scoring, Denver's offense will be difficult for the Suns to contain. If Phoenix wants to come back in the series, they will need to step up their defense and find a way to slow down the Nuggets' offensive attack.
Nuggets: Defensive Analysis
The Denver Nuggets have built a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference second-round matchup with the Phoenix Suns. One key factor in their success has been their solid defensive play, which they will look to continue in Game 3. During the regular season, the Nuggets were ranked seventh in the league in defensive efficiency with 111.7 points per game allowed. They also ranked fourth in average score margin at +3.9. In the playoffs, they have held the Suns to just 87 and 98 points in their two victories. Nikola Jokic, who is a leading candidate for the MVP award, has been a force on both ends of the court. He has been a dominant rim protector, averaging 1.2 blocks per game in the playoffs, and his physicality in the paint has made it difficult for opponents to score inside. The Nuggets have also been successful in limiting the Suns' three-point shooting. In Game 1, Phoenix shot just 32.4% from beyond the arc, and in Game 2 they improved to 38.1% but still struggled to find consistent scoring from deep. Denver's perimeter defense has been anchored by Aaron Gordon, who has regularly been matched up against Suns' leading scorer Devin Booker. Gordon's size and athleticism have made it tough for Booker to get clean looks, and the Nuggets will rely on him to continue to neutralize the Suns' primary scoring threat. In addition, the Nuggets have had success in limiting turnovers, averaging just 11.3 per game in the playoffs. This has allowed them to avoid giving up easy points in transition and forced the Suns to work for every point they score. Overall, the Nuggets' defensive strategy has been effective in limiting the Suns' scoring opportunities and neutralizing their top scorers. If they can continue this defensive intensity, they will have a good chance to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Suns: Offense Analysis
The Phoenix Suns find themselves down 0-2 in the Western Conference second round against the Denver Nuggets. Although the Suns are considered one of the favorites to win it all this season, they have yet to live up to expectations. In this offense analysis, we'll take a look at their performance so far and their chances of turning things around. According to NBA picks experts and NBA picks computers predictions, the Suns are favored to win this game by 3.5 points with the over/under set at 224.5. However, given their recent form, it's hard to see them winning this game, let alone the series. The Suns' offense has been lackluster, averaging just 113.6 points per game and only outscoring opponents by 2.0 points per game. They heavily rely on Devin Booker, who is averaging 35.4 points, 6.6 assists, and two steals for the Suns. Kevin Durant has been their second-best scorer, averaging 22.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists over the last ten games for Phoenix. On the other hand, the Nuggets have been dominant offensively, scoring 115.6 points per game and outscoring opponents by 3.9 points per game on average. Nikola Jokic has been unstoppable, scoring 24.5 points per game and averaging 11.8 rebounds; he scored 39 points in the last game against the Suns. Jamal Murray is also a key player, averaging 2.8 made three-pointers over the last ten games for Denver. According to NBA today experts, NBA picks, and parlays, the Nuggets have a clear advantage over the Suns. They are better in every offensive category, including effective field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and shooting efficiency, among others. In conclusion, the Suns' offense has been sub-par throughout this series, and it's hard to see them turning things around against the Nuggets, who have been dominant on both ends of the court. Based on NBA picks with spread and NBA predictions today, the Nuggets are the clear favorites to win this game and likely sweep the series.
Suns: Defensive Analysis
As the Phoenix Suns face the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference second round, their defense will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. The Suns have a daunting task of trying to make a comeback in the series as they trail 2-0 after losing the last matchup 97-87. The Suns will need to tighten their defense to prevent another high-scoring game from Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Jokic scored 39 points in the last game, while Devin Booker led the scoring for the Suns with 35 points. Looking at their defensive stats, the Suns allow their opponents to score an average of 111.7 points per game, which is the 7th lowest in the league. They also have an average of 5.9 blocks per game and 6.4 steals per game. However, the Nuggets have one of the most dangerous offenses in the league, averaging 115.6 points per game and ranking 11th in the league. They also have a high effective field goal percentage of 57.1%. Despite the Suns' impressive defense, they will have to step up and limit the Nuggets' scoring if they hope to get a win in this game. Their defense will need to focus on limiting Jokic's scoring opportunities and contesting the Nuggets' three-pointers. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks predict this game to have close odds. However, the Suns will have the advantage of playing at home, where they have a record of 30-11 in the regular season. The defense would be the key to unlocking the victory for the Suns in this game. If they can hold the Nuggets to under 100 points, they will have a better chance of securing the win. In conclusion, the Suns need to bring their A-game defensively to prevent the Nuggets from taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The game's outcome will depend on whether the Suns' defense can withstand the Nuggets' offensive firepower.
Injury Report
In this crucial playoff game between the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns, the injury report favors the Nuggets. Denver comes into this game with no players listed on their injury report. On the other hand, the Suns will be without the services of Chris Paul due to a groin injury. Paul's absence could be a significant factor in this game as he has been a key contributor for the Suns this season. In his absence, Booker will likely be required to take on more of the scoring burden. The Suns will undoubtedly miss Paul's playmaking abilities and his leadership on the court. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are entering this game with a clean bill of health. This is encouraging news for Denver, who will be looking to extend their lead in the series. The Nuggets will be once again relying on Jokic's dominant performances and the supporting cast to carry them to victory. In conclusion, the Nuggets seem to have the upper hand when it comes to injuries. Chris Paul's absence could be a significant blow to the Suns' chances in this game. The Nuggets will be looking to take full advantage of this situation and secure a third consecutive victory in the series.
| Player | Team | Position | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Paul | Phoenix Suns | N/A | Out (groin) |
Betting Trends
The Denver Nuggets hold a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference second round series against the Phoenix Suns. Let's take a look at the betting trends for both teams for this matchup. According to NBA picks experts and predictions, the Nuggets have been performing well in the playoffs and have a strong chance of winning this game. The Suns are facing an uphill battle, but some NBA picks and parlays suggest that they may be able to close the gap. In terms of NBA picks with spread, the Suns are favored by 3.5 points over the Nuggets. However, some NBA experts' picks today suggest that the Nuggets may be able to cover the spread and potentially win by a larger margin. The Nuggets have been performing well against the spread in their last 10 games, going 7-3 and averaging 113.1 points per game. In contrast, the Suns are 5-5 in their last 10 games and averaging 114.4 points per game but have struggled to keep their opponents under 115.5 points per game. Looking at the over/under, the total is set at 224.5 points. Based on NBA picks and computer predictions, this game may be high-scoring, with both teams averaging over 113 points per game in their last 10 matchups. When it comes to current injuries, the Suns' point guard Chris Paul is out with a groin injury while the Nuggets have no players listed on the injury report. In conclusion, the Nuggets may have the edge in this game based on betting trends and NBA picks predictions. However, the Suns have proven to be resilient, and anything can happen in the playoffs, making this an exciting matchup to watch.
Prediction
The Nuggets have been dominant in the first two games of this series, led by the MVP-level play of Nikola Jokic. However, the Suns are too talented and too well-coached to go down without a fight. Look for Devin Booker to have a big game and lead the Suns to a victory at home, although the Nuggets will ultimately advance to the Western Conference Finals. Take the Suns with the points (-3.5).
Pick: Suns (-3.5)
