Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets 4-29-2023 Picks, Previews and Tips
West Semifinals – Game 1
The NBA Western Conference semifinals kick off on Saturday with the Phoenix Suns taking on the Denver Nuggets. The Suns made it to this round by defeating the LA Clippers 4-1 in the quarterfinals, bouncing back from an initial loss to win the next four games. Devin Booker leads Phoenix in scoring during the postseason, averaging 37.2 points per game, while Deandre Ayton is grabbing the most rebounds with an average of 11.2 per game, and Chris Paul is the team leader in assists with 8.2 per game. The Suns are putting up an average of 122.0 points per game.
The Suns are averaging 122 points on 51.5 percent shooting and allowing 115.6 points on 46 percent FG shooting. SG Devin Booker is averaging 37.2 points and 6.4 assists while SF Kevin Durant is averaging 28.4 points and 7.6 rebounds. Center Deandre Ayton is the third double-digit scorer and PG Chris Paul is grabbing 6 rebounds. Phoenix is shooting 40.7 percent from beyond the arc and 80.6 percent from the free throw line. Phoenix is allowing 36.1% shooting from deep and is grabbing 42.8 rebounds per game.
- Phoenix is 8-3 SU in their last 11 matches over the Nuggets.
- The total went OVER in 9 of Phoenix’s last 11 games on the road.
- The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets 4-29-2023 Picks, Previews and Tips
Meanwhile, the Nuggets advanced to the semifinals after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 in their quarterfinals series. Denver won the first three games, lost the fourth, but ultimately clinched the series in Game 5 with a 112-109 victory. During the postseason, Jamal Murray leads Denver in scoring with an average of 27.4 points per game, while Nikola Jokic is second in scoring, top rebounder, and assists leader with averages of 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game. Six players are averaging double figures in scoring for the Nuggets, who are scoring an average of 114.4 points per game.
Denver is averaging 114.2 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 105.4 points on 45.8 percent shooting. PG Jamal Murray is averaging 27.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while Center Nikola Jokic is averaging 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds. SF Michael Porter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and PF Aaron Gordon is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 38.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.9 percent from the free throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 34.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.8 rebounds per game.
- The Denver Nuggets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games at home against Phoenix.
- Denver is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- The Nuggets are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division.
Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets. The NBA pick for this game is the Denver Nuggets. Phoenix defeated Denver twice since the Suns acquired Kevin Durant but Denver did not play any of its key players in either of the two games. Denver’s Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr played very well in the quarterfinals, taking pressure off the shoulders of Nikola Jokic, and will be a force against the Suns’ defense. Denver, who has a much deeper bench than Phoenix, will be able to rotate in fresh players during the entire game. Denver has covered the number in four of its last five and will do so on Saturday in Game 1. Final Score Prediction, Denver Nuggets win and cover ATS 116-112.
NBA Starting Time: 8:30 PM ET
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
TV: TNT
NBA Odds: Denver Nuggets -3
NBA Totals: 226.5
