The Phoenix Suns (11-7) are hosting the Denver Nuggets (13-6) in a battle on Friday evening. This is the first of three matchups between these Western Conference foes. The Suns lead the all-time series 102-87, and Phoenix has won two straight games over Denver. Phoenix is seventh in the NBA in scoring (116.4), while Denver ranks seventh in points allowed (109.7). Jamal Murray (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (heel) are questionable for Denver, while Devin Booker (ankle) and Bradley Beal (back) are out for the Suns.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Denver is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Nuggets vs. Suns odds, per SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 224. Before making any Suns vs. Nuggets picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 6 of the 2023-24 NBA season on an 86-50 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. Suns and locked in its NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Suns vs. Nuggets:
- Nuggets vs. Suns spread: Phoenix -2.5
- Nuggets vs. Suns Over-Under: 224 points
- Nuggets vs. Suns money line: Denver -136, Phoenix +115
- DEN: Has hit the money line in 30 of its last 40 games
- PHO: Has hit the 4Q Game Total Under in 49 of its last 77 games
- Nuggets vs. Suns picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic is one of the most impactful presences on the floor. Jokic scores at will and owns superb court vision as a playmaker. The 28-year-old is eighth in the NBA in points (29), first in rebounds (13.2), and third in assists (9.2). Additionally, he's scored at least 30 points in four straight games. In his last game, Jokic tallied 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists.
Forward Michael Porter Jr. is a talented three-level scorer. Porter Jr. has an effortless jumper and crashes the boards well. The Missouri product averages 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and shoots 39% from downtown. Porter Jr. has finished with 25-plus points in three of the last five games. In his last outing, he notched 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. See which team to pick here.
Why the Suns can cover
Center Jusuf Nurkic provides Phoenix with a bruising force in the frontcourt. Nurkic has light feet and does a great job setting screens to free up space for ball handlers. The 29-year-old averages 10.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and four assists per game. He's grabbed double-digit rebounds in five of his last six games, and on Wednesday, Nurkic tallied 19 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
Guard Eric Gordon is a reliable scoring threat who owns a smooth jumper and excels as a spot-up shooter. The Indiana product logs 14.6 points per game while shooting 40% from 3-point land. On Nov. 25 versus the Knicks, Gordon dropped 25 points and went 6-of-9 from downtown. Meanwhile, guard Grayson Allen is an athletic two-way threat and utilizes his sweet-shooting stroke to space the floor. Allen puts up 11.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. See which team to pick here.
How to make Suns vs. Nuggets picks
The model has simulated Nuggets vs. Suns 10,000 times and is leaning Over the total. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.
Who wins Suns vs. Nuggets, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see the picks, all from the model that is on an 86-50 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.