As for the series odds market, the Nuggets are massive favorites to advance in the . Denver is -400 to make the West Final, with the hobbled Suns coming back at +310 underdogs.
Nuggets vs Suns NBA Betting Trends
After dropping both Games 3 and 4 in Phoenix, Denver had a clear plan for how they wanted to approach Game 5. That included slowing down Devin Booker, getting more production from Michael Porter Jr. and the bench, and making open 3 s.
The Nuggets checked all those boxes and more, crushing the Suns 118-112. They held Booker to 28 points, his third lowest total of the postseason. Denver got 19 points, including five three s from Porter Jr., and another 34 points from their reserves. They shot 49% from the field and 48% from three, blowing the game open in the third quarter.
Nikola Jokic is the 4th player in NBA history to record multiple triple-doubles with 60% shooting in a single postseason, joining Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James and Magic Johnson.
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Denver also got the 10th postseason triple-double of Jokic s career, moving him past Wilt Chamberlain for most all-time by a center. Jokic has a pair of triple-doubles already this series, and four so far in 10 playoff games this year.
As for the Suns, Booker and Kevin Durant combined for 54 points, more than half of the team s total. They shot just 43% from the field and 33% from three, losing the assist and rebounding battle along the way.
The Nuggets improved to 6-0 in the postseason at home, winning for the third time this series by double-digits. Only one of their six home victories came by less than 9 points, but they ll need to win for only the second time on the road this postseason if they want to close out Phoenix in Game 6.
Nuggets vs Suns Predictions
While each of the Nuggets home wins have been blowouts this series, the same cannot be said for the Suns. Phoenix posted seven and five point victories in Games 3 and 4 respectively, needing Herculean performances from Booker in order to do so.
Booker is capable of replicating that effort on Thursday, but we shouldn t count on it. The Suns are at a severe disadvantage without Paul running the show, as they lose a tenacious defender and one of the best playmakers of all-time. Ayton s injury only further handicaps Phoenix, and even if he s able to play he ll need major help versus Jokic.
There s no better passing big man in the league, and Denver has not struggled to make open looks on the road this series. They shot 50% combined in Games 3 and 4 as visitors, while Porter Jr. s resurgence in Game 5 spells disaster for the Suns. If Denver can get quality scoring from not only Jokic, but also Jamaal Murray and Porter Jr, they re going to be tough to beat.
Nuggets vs Suns Same-Game Parlay Picks
