The Denver Nuggets (20-8), the NBA’s top scoring defense, will square off against the Phoenix Suns (11-18) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game will air on Altitude 2 Sports at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23, 2019.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds
The Nuggets come in on a high note after thoroughly outplaying the Los Angeles Lakers in their last contest, 128-104, as 10.5-point underdogs. The Suns, on the other hand, were beaten by the Houston Rockets, 139-125, and failed to cover as 9-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Denver game went 17 points over the projected point total of 215, while the Phoenix game finished 26 points over the projected point total of 238.
Denver dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 7.1 (better than their season average of 11.8) and a free throw rate of 0.293 (above their season average of 0.163). For those same stats, Los Angeles was 17.0 and 0.193, respectively. Phoenix, on the other hand, held Houston to an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.9 (below their season average of 24.5). Kelly Oubre Jr. fueled Phoenix with 26 points and five rebounds. Denver received a boost from Will Barton, who recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
In their two matchups this year, the Nuggets have won both. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 220 points, which was over the projected point total of 214. Denver won 116-104, covering as an 11-point favorite. Denver out-rebounded Phoenix. The Nuggets had 19 offensive rebounds and 52 total rebounds, while the Suns had seven and 36, respectively. Barton was a top performer in the victory, with 22 points and eight rebounds.
Oddsmakers tend to place the total high when the Nuggets are involved, as 70.4 percent of their contests have ended under the projected point total. Denver has a phenomenal 20-8 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 10-13-4 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Denver, Suns games have typically finished over the projected point total (58.6 percent). Moreover, Phoenix is 11-18 SU and 15-13-1 ATS.
Conflicting tempos will be on display in this battle. Phoenix prefers an up-and-down style of play (ninth in possessions per game), while Denver likes to grind-it-out (27th in possessions per game).
Nuggets vs. Suns ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Phoenix ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (35.3) while Denver ranks 25th (30.3).
- The Nuggets rank 13th in second chance points per game (13.4) while the Suns rank 26th (12.1).
- Denver ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.0) while Phoenix ranks 12th (16.7).
- Denver ranks 10th in rebounds per game (46.0) while Phoenix ranks 16th in rebounds allowed per game (45.8).
- The Nuggets average 48.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Suns rank 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.2).
- The Suns rank first in assists per game (28.4) while the Nuggets rank 11th in assists allowed per game (23.3).
- Denver ranks 11th in blocks allowed per game (4.8) while Phoenix ranks 26th (5.9).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Phoenix is 2-2 and Denver is 10-1.
- The Suns are 11-15 when they reach the century mark, while the Nuggets are 18-4.
- Phoenix is 8-8-1 ATS at home, while Denver is 4-5-2 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 12 of the Suns’ 17 home games, while 8 of the Nuggets’ 11 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Denver and Phoenix have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Nuggets are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Suns are 1-3-1.
- During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 114.2 points per game (6.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.0 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
- The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.2, up from 0.8 for the season.
