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Bit of a lull in the NBA playoff schedule on Wednesday with just one game as the Phoenix Suns are favored on the NBA odds at home to take a 2-0 lead over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference series.

How to Bet Nuggets at Suns NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Wednesday, 9:30 PM ET
Where: Phoenix Suns Arena
TV: TNT
Stream: TNT app
Radio:com

Why Bet on Denver? | NBA Betting Lines

The Nuggets played well for about three quarters of Game 1 before fading big time in a 122-105 loss in Phoenix. Denver used a strong defensive performance in the opening 24 minutes to lead by as many as seven. The Nuggets held the Suns to just 33 percent from three in the first two quarters, but Denver was unable to sustain that effort in the final 24 minutes when the Suns would explode for 65 points on 64.1 percent shooting.

The Nuggets had 12 turnovers, but they were punished on almost every giveaway. The Suns scored 18 points on the Nuggets’ turnovers and 13 fast break points. Denver can ill-afford to give away points against a Phoenix that ranked sixth in the regular season in defensive rating (110.4) and first in the playoffs in that category (102.6).

Nikola Jokic was very good if not great with 22 points on 10-of-23 shooting (2-of-5 3-pointers) and added rebounds, three assists, three blocks, two steals and four turnovers. Deandre Ayton spent most of the night defending the Joker, and rather than go through Ayton on post up attempts, Jokic often used jump shots and fadeaways. In games that Jokic has tallied at least five assists this postseason, the Nuggets are 4-0. In games that he does not, they are 0-3.

JaMychal Green 10 points and 11 rebounds in one of his better games in weeks. Aaron Gordon took advantage of smaller matchups and scored 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting in 29 minutes, while Michael Porter Jr. scored 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting with seven rebounds and two assists.

With Monte Morris (two points in 23 minutes) going cold from the floor, guard Facundo Campazzo found himself with some added responsibility and had 14 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Denver has played this entire postseason without guards Will Barton and PJ Dozier and neither was ready Monday. It’s not likely either will play Game 2, either, although Barton is closer.

Why Bet on Phoenix? | NBA Betting Lines

After falling behind by 10 points in the third quarter, Phoenix put together a 42-14 run to completely flip Game 1 on the way to a 122-105 victory.

“Just playing with pace,” Paul said of what worked during that run. “They got a nice little lead on us there in the third quarter but with our team and with the crowd — this crowd is crazy. It’s crazy to have the fans in there. The energy, there’s nothing like it. I told the guys, this is why we fought so hard during the regular season to get homecourt advantage and I think we truly have that with our fanbase here.”

Chris Paul tallied his first double-double of the postseason with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 11 assists along with six rebounds. With the exception of Game 4 against the Lakers, Paul has not looked like himself all postseason due to his nagging shoulder injury. On Monday night though, Paul looked great. He had just one turnover and the Suns shot 55.5% off his passes.

Mikal Bridges set a playoff career-high with 23 on 8-for-12 shooting along with five rebounds and five assists. Through his first six career postseason games, Bridges was averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 38.2% shooting from both the floor and the three-point line. But he’s is likely to have similar opportunities against this Denver squad moving forward because the Nuggets want power forward Aaron Gordon guarding Devin Booker.

Deandre Ayton tallied 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting with 10 rebounds while playing great defense on Nuggets star Nikola Jokic — Ayton’s ability to play Jokic to a stalemate on Monday was the main reason why Phoenix was able to take Game 1.

Booker had a modest line of 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting (1-of-4 3-pointers) with eight assists, four rebounds, one steal, and five turnovers in 38 minutes. He averaged 29.7 points per game in the first round, capped by a 47-point performance in the clincher. Jae Crowder added 14 points and five rebounds. The Suns scored 122 points without a single player making 10 field goals.

Game Trends

Nuggets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Nuggets are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
Nuggets are 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings.
Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.