Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns 5/5/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
West Semifinals – Game 3, DEN leads series 2-0
The Denver Nuggets will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals on Friday. Denver has been unstoppable, with two convincing wins over the Suns in the first two games of the series. In Game 2, the Nuggets showed their defensive strength by holding Phoenix to just 40% shooting from the field and a dismal 19.4% from beyond the arc.
Center Nikola Jokic has been the playoff MVP for Denver, leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists with remarkable averages of 27.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. PG Jamal Murray has been a great sidekick, adding an average of 25.7 points per game. The Nuggets have been balanced on the offensive side, with six players scoring in double figures and an average of 113.3 points per game as a team.
- The Denver Nuggets are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road against Phoenix.
- Denver is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- The Nuggets are 10-0 ATS in their last 10 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division.
Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns 5/5/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
The Phoenix Suns are facing a crucial game three on their home court, as they try to avoid falling behind 0-3 in the series. In Game 2, the Suns struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, with a poor six of 31. Despite SG Devin Booker’s impressive 35-point performance, the team’s offense couldn’t keep up in the fourth quarter, scoring just 14 points, allowing the Nuggets to pull away for the win. SF Kevin Durant contributed 24 points and eight rebounds, while Center Deandre Ayton had 14 points and eight rebounds. However, PG Chris Paul had a quiet game, scoring only eight points on four of 10 shooting. The Suns have four players averaging double-digit scoring, with an average of 114.9 points per game, and they will need to improve their shooting and performance to avoid a deep hole in the series.
The Phoenix Suns will regret that they let a big opportunity slip away in Game 2. Devin Booker had a game-high 35 points, five rebounds, and six assists, Kevin Durant had 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while Deandre Ayton had 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. The Suns shot poorly as a team, making just 40 percent of their shots and six of 31 from the 3-point line. They stayed close with the Nuggets for most of the game, but they fell apart in the fourth quarter where they scored just 14 points and let the Nuggets pull away. Chris Paul had a quiet game of only eight points on four of 10 shooting while the bench scored just four points on two of 16 shooting.
- Phoenix is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Northwest Division.
- The total remained UNDER in 5 of the Phoenix Suns’ last 6 games played in May.
- The Suns are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 games played on a Friday.
Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns. The NBA Pick is the Phoenix Suns. Denver will continue to pounce on the Suns in this contest and secure a road victory on Friday to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Anticipate the play to go OVER. The OVER cashed in the 11 of the last 15 between the Nuggets and Suns in Phoenix. In addition, the OVER cashed in four of Denver’s last six and four of Phoenix’s last five. Denver shot 48% in Game 1 and 47% in Game 2, including hitting 43% of its three-point attempts in Game 1. Final Score Prediction, Denver Nuggets win but our best play is OVER 117-111.
NBA Starting Time: 10:00 PM ET
Location: Footprint center in Phoenix, AZ
Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
TV: ESPN
NBA Odds: Dallas Mavericks +5.5
NBA Totals: 214.5
