Introduction
The NBA playoffs are in full swing, and one of the most exciting matchups in the Western Conference is the Denver Nuggets against the Phoenix Suns. Both teams have been playing exceptional basketball, and it’s hard to predict who will come out on top. In this article, we will take a closer look at both teams and make a prediction on who we think will win this series.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets finished the regular season with a 47-25 record and earned the third seed in the Western Conference. Led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have a high-powered offense that can score from all over the court. Jokic has been a force to be reckoned with, averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.
The Nuggets also have a strong supporting cast, including Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon. Murray has been playing well in the playoffs, averaging 21.2 points per game, but unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury in April. Porter Jr. has stepped up in his absence, averaging 18.7 points per game in the playoffs.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns finished the regular season with a 51-21 record and earned the second seed in the Western Conference. Led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the Suns have been playing exceptional basketball all season long. Paul has been a great addition to the team, providing veteran leadership and averaging 15.7 points and 8.7 assists per game.
Booker has also been outstanding, averaging 25.6 points per game in the playoffs. The Suns also have a strong supporting cast, including Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Jae Crowder. Ayton has been a force in the paint, averaging 15.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
Head-to-Head Matchups
The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns faced each other three times during the regular season, with the Suns winning two of the three matchups. However, it’s important to note that Murray played in all three games, and his absence could be a significant factor in this series.
In their most recent matchup, the Suns defeated the Nuggets 123-98, with Booker leading the way with 25 points. However, Jokic sat out that game to rest, so it’s hard to make any conclusions based on that matchup.
Prediction: Who Will Win?
This is a tough series to predict, as both teams are playing exceptional basketball right now. However, we believe that the Phoenix Suns will come out on top in this series. The absence of Murray will be a significant factor for the Nuggets, as they will have a harder time scoring against the Suns’ tough defense.
The Suns have been playing exceptional basketball all season long, and we believe they have what it takes to make it to the NBA Finals. Look for Chris Paul and Devin Booker to continue their outstanding play, and for Ayton to dominate in the paint. We predict that the Suns will win this series in six games.