Here are The Game Day’s Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Prediction with bets for the 2021 NBA Playoffs Round 2 Series. After checking out our Suns-Nuggets Round 2 series preview, check out our 2021 NBA Playoffs Power Rankings & our full 2021 NBA Playoffs Guide.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Prediction: 2021 NBA Playoffs Round 2 Bet Tips & Pick
Two teams head into the Western Conference Semifinals with momentum. The Phoenix Suns have knocked off the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers, and the Denver Nuggets took everything Damian Lillard could throw at them and were still able to get to the next round.
Phoenix Suns Round 1 Recap
This matchup between two smaller-market teams, both on the rise, will showcase some of the best young NBA talent. For Phoenix, it is all about the combo of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
In the first round, Booker averaged almost 30 points per game and was lights-out in the close-out game against the Lakers in Los Angeles. Ayton averaged a double-double and stood out on defense against a much bigger Lakers team. The Suns defense was key in round 1 and will be pushed in Round 2 by the Nuggets.
Denver Nuggets Round 1 Recap
The Nuggets played an incredible series against a capable Portland team and were led by 33 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game from Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets also saw improved play from Michael Porter Jr., Monte Morris, and Aaron Gordon.
The key to the Nuggets’ success has been Jokic taking advantage of the mismatches he had in Portland and forcing the bigs into foul trouble. The guard play on defense was suspect, but even in the absence of Jamal Murray, the Nuggets toppled one of the highest-powered offenses in the league with answers for nearly every big play that came at them.
Nikola Jokic helped the Denver Nuggets outlast the Portland Trail Blazers in Round 1. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Matchup
In the regular season, the Nuggets held the edge over the Suns 2 games to 1, with both Nuggets wins coming in overtime. This series will be different for Phoenix when it comes to guarding the outside shooter. The Nuggets as a team have been shooting over 40% from 3-point range, which gives them a big advantage that the Lakers did not have. The Suns played well against the bigs of the Lakers and slowed down Marc Gasol, Andre Drummond, and Anthony Davis before his injury.
The leadership of Chris Paul should not be questioned either, but his health has been up in the air for the Suns; he’s been playing with a balky shoulder. On the other side, the Nuggets were able to get past a Portland team that does not play defense as well as what Phoenix does.
The Suns have several defenders who will cause the shooting percentage to drop for Denver and frustrate them when getting into the paint. Both teams will be playing out of their comfort zone in a series that will be fun to watch.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
Suns in 6 Games: The defense of the Suns will just be too much. If Jamal Murray were healthy and playing this pick could have been different, but Phoenix will do its best to slow Jokic down, but will frustrate Porter, Morris, Gordon, and Austin Rivers. Denver doesn’t have a logical defender to consistently contain Devin Booker.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Bet Pick
Phoenix Suns To Win Series (-225) at BetMGM
After defeating the defending-champion Lakers, the Suns enter as a favorite against the Nuggets. Denver has been to the second round several times but has not been able to get past it with this group. It stays the same this year. The Suns will stifle them with too much defense and depth.
