For the first time since the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns will square off this Saturday. The Nuggets are eyeing to win their fourth game in a row, while the Suns are hoping to get back up after a loss.

Catch this game live on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11 AM, Manila time

Away: Denver Nuggets (13-6/4-6 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jamal Murray (Questionable)
  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • Michael Porter Jr.
  • Aaron Gordon (Questionable)
  • Nikola Jokic

Denver is rolling again, with the reigning NBA champion stretching its win streak to three games after humbling the Houston Rockets in a 134-124 win at home on Thursday. The return of Jamal Murray to action after a long absence because of a hamstring injury has also given the Nuggets a shot in the arm.

In the Rockets game, Murray played 22 minutes and finished with 16 points, six assists, and six rebounds. He is labeled questionable after hurting his ankle, but it doesn’t seem serious enough for Denver to lose sleep.

If he misses the Suns game, the Nuggets can count on Reggie Jackson to step up,  hoping that the veteran will treat Phoenix like it’s the Los Angeles Clippers. With or without Murray, the Nuggets can still expect their offense to run efficiently with Nikola Jokic running the show. The Nuggets are sixth in the league with a 55.7 eFG%, and No. 1 with 118.4 points per 100 possessions (adjusted for schedule). All of Denver’s six losses this season have happened on the road, but the Nuggets are a decent 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 trips to The Valley.

Home: Phoenix Suns (11-7/4-4 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Devin Booker (Questionable)
  • Eric Gordon
  • Grayson Allen
  • Kevin Durant
  • Jusuf Nurkic

Like the Nuggets, the Suns could potentially miss the services of a key player from the backcourt this Saturday, with Devin Booker questionable to play because of an ankle issue he sustained in last Thursday’s 112-105 loss to the Toronto Raptors on the road. The Suns were on a scorching seven-game win streak prior to the debacle in Canada, and they will try to get back to their winning ways right away while in a much friendlier atmosphere. 

Phoenix, seventh in the NBA so far this season with 116.4 points per game, has won and covered the spread in each of its last three outings as the home team. Kevin Durant could have another big game after scoring 30 points in the loss to the Raptors, especially if the Nuggets would roll this Saturday without Aaron Gordon. On the season, Durant is averaging 31.3 points with an impressive 51.8 FG% and 49.3 3FG%. Defensively, the Suns are just 17th with 113.2 points allowed per game, but they’re holding opponents to just 52.1 eFG% – sixth-best overall.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Suns (+2) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (224.0) hits the Under.