Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Betting Pick & Prediction 12/23/24

The Nuggets (-211) are a 5.5-point favorite against the Suns (+176) in a Western Conference matchup. Denver (15-11) is 5th in the West, while Phoenix (14-13) is 11th.

The over/under line for the game is 233 points. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 ET at Ball Arena in Denver. ALT will broadcast the game.

PHOENIX SUNS VS DENVER NUGGETS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Denver Nuggets -5.5

This game will be played at Ball Arena at 10:00 ET on Monday, December 23rd.

WHY BET THE DENVER NUGGETS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 124-110 in favor of the Nuggets.
  • Our projections have Nikola Jokic finishing with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Nuggets finishing with a field goal percentage of 49.0% and knocking down 11 threes.

Can The Suns Secure a Win at Denver?

The Suns dropped to 14-13 after a 133-125 home loss to the Pistons on Saturday. Phoenix, favored by 5.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 258.5 went well over the 224.5-point line.

Detroit’s 10-0 run early on set the tone, but Phoenix fought back, outscoring the Pistons 33-23 in the 2nd quarter. However, the Pistons edged out the Suns 39-35 in the 3rd, and despite Phoenix’s 31-30 advantage in the 4th, they couldn’t close the gap after entering the final quarter down 103-94.

Kevin Durant poured in 43 points, including 13 in both the 3rd and 4th quarters, in the Suns’ 125-point effort against the Pistons. Bradley Beal added 26 points, with 12 coming in the 2nd quarter, while Tyus Jones contributed 19 points, hitting 3 threes at 100% efficiency.

Phoenix shot 57.7% from the field and 48.3% from beyond the arc, connecting on 14 threes. Durant hit 4 threes, shooting 44.4% from deep, and added 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

Defensively, the Suns struggled against the Pistons, giving up 133 points on 55% shooting. Phoenix allowed 41 points in the 1st quarter and 39 in the 3rd, with Detroit scoring 30 in the 4th to seal the win.

The Suns also had trouble defending the three, as the Pistons hit 19 threes at a 48% clip. Phoenix sent Detroit to the line 22 times, where they made 16 free throws. The Suns finished with 9 steals and 1 block.

Will the Nuggets Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?

Denver improved to 15-11 on the season with a 132-129 win over the Pelicans on Sunday. Despite being -8.5 point favorites, the Nuggets didn’t cover the spread, winning by just three points. The game’s total score of 261 points exceeded the O/U line of 231.5 by 29.5 points.

Denver mounted a comeback after trailing 93-81 entering the 4th quarter. They outscored the Pelicans 38-26 in the final period to secure the win.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each scored 27 points in the Nuggets’ 132-129 win over the Pelicans, with Jokic adding 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Russell Westbrook contributed 21 points, shooting 64.3% from the field.

Denver hit just 10 three-pointers, shooting 30.3% from deep, but finished with an overall field goal percentage of 50.5%. Jokic made 2 threes, hitting 66.7% from beyond the arc, while Murray also connected on 2 threes, shooting 22.2%.

Despite a shaky 2nd quarter where the Nuggets gave up 38 points, they tightened up defensively in the 3rd and 4th quarters, allowing just 26 points in each to help secure the win. Denver held the Pelicans to 46% shooting from the field.

The Nuggets did a solid job defending the three, as New Orleans shot just 30% from deep, making 12 threes. Denver also sent the Pelicans to the line 23 times, where they hit 17 free throws. The Nuggets finished with 10 steals and 8 blocks.