The Phoenix Suns look to take a commanding 2-0 lead when they host the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their second round best-of-seven series. The Suns rose like a phoenix when Game 1 seemed to get away. Trailing by 10 points in the third quarter, the Suns went on a 28-9 run in their 122-105 win over the Nuggets.
The third quarter run put the Suns up 88-79 going into the fourth, with Mikal Bridges scored 11 of his playoff career-high 23 points in the surge. Bridges scored 13 points in the quarter, going 5-for-5 from the field (2-for-2 from beyond the arc). Then, the Suns opened the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run.
Chris Paul scored 14 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, playing his best game of this playoffs since initially hurting his shoulder in Game 1 against the Lakers in the first round. CP3 added 11 assists and six rebounds in 35 minutes.
Dafanews Picks
Team to Win (Regular Time)
• Denver Nuggets: 1.89
• Phoenix Suns: 1.92
Spread
• Denver Nuggets: +5.5 (1.97)
• Phoenix Suns: -5.5 (1.84)
Total
• Over 222.5 (1.92)
• Under 222.5 (1.89)
Key Points to Consider
The Suns became the first team to have three players with 20 ponits or more on 65 percent shooting in a playoff game since… the Suns on May 9th, 1995 against the Rockets. Monday night, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton all finished with at least 20 points on 65 percent shooting or better.
Ayton is improving drastically. He is strong, moves well, has a nice touch around the basket and fights on the defensive end. The Suns are fun to watch. The perfect storm coming together. Credit to James Jones built this nicely and to head coach Monty Williams.
The Nuggets are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog and 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games against a team with a winning home record. The Suns are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall, 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games as a favorite, 7-1 ATS in their last eight playoff games as a favorite and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as a home favorite.
Projected Leaders
For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic is projected to finish with 20.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists, making 8.0 field goals in 14.5 attempts.
For the Suns, Devin Booker is expected to score 27.9 points with 5.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds, making 9.5 field goals in 19.4 attempts.
Analyst’s Pick
Suns -5.5.
Four-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend pick on the Phoenix Suns in this one. Average score in simulations is Phoenix Suns 117.9 to Denver Nuggets 109.1.
