Example: Denver nuggets go for six in a row with matchup on Phoenix Suns

On By Littum

Denver nuggets won four in a row, then lost three in a row and have now won five in a row.

They get the chance tonight to expand their current winning line to six matches while visiting Phoenix Suns. Suns is one of the more disappointing teams this season. After losing in the NBA final in 2021, Phoenix’s new owner Matt Matt Ishbia made drastic changes to the schedule. He traded key role players Mikal Bridges & Cameron Johnson in a package for Kevin Durant and moved the Veteran Point Guard Chris Paul in a deal for Bradley Beal to make a big three with Devin Booker. Then Sun’s starting center Deandre Ayton traded to Jusuf Nurkic. All of these movements were losing to nuggets in 2023, a first round of exit last year, and now this year Phoenix is ​​fighting for a play-in place. Meanwhile, they are on coach # 3, Nurkic got paid dumped this week and Beal has been referred to the bench. Both Durant and Beal’s names were very publicly tied to the deadline before Phoenix eventually couldn’t find a deal (or volunteers) to help them go back to acquire two aging and very expensive players. “Suns in Four” feels like ages ago.

The essentials

WHO: Denver Nuggets (33-19) by Phoenix Suns (26-25)

When: 19:00 mst

Where: … You know what, footprint seems like a decent company, good for them … Center. Phoenix, az.

How to see/listen: Height -tv (which is now available on Comcast), height+. NBA League Pass for those who are not in the Nuggets market, height Radio 92.5fm. Show with a briefcase with cash and tell them you are there to buy the arena names and they will probably hear you out.

Rival blog: Light side of the sun

Matchup

Position Nuggets Sun Advantage
Pg Jamal Murray Tyus Jones Nuggets
SG Christian Braun Devin Booker Sun
SF Michael Porter Jr. Kevin Durant Sun
Pf Aaron Gordon Ryan Dunn Nuggets
C Nikola Jokic Nick Richards Nuggets
Bench Julian Strawther, Deandre Jordan, Jalen Pickett, Hunter Tyson, Zeke Nnaji Bradley Beal, Cody Martin, Royce O’Neal, Mason Plumlee, Grayson Allen Even

Damage report*: Aaron Gordon – Sandicable (Calf), Jamal Murray – questionable (knee), Michael Porter Jr. – Doubtful (Hamstring), Peyton Watson – Out (Knee), Russell Westbrook – Out (Hamstring), Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee) ,, Daron Holmes II – Out (Achilles); Kevin Durant – questionable (ankle), Bradley Beal – questionable (toe). *The Sun’s Injury report was not submitted at the time of writing.

The three things

The case to look at: Nick richards vs nikola jokic

Nurkic was a complete disaster for Suns, there are no two ways about it, and he has never been very good at defending Nikola, but he at least brought the beef to Matchup. Phoenix traded him (and a 1st round pick) and got back guards in return. Meanwhile, Richards has taken over the exit role ever since Phoenix traded for him a few weeks ago and has quiet his best season as a professional. He has also worked pretty well the last two times, he went to his toe with Nikola, and kept him under twenty points and ten assists in both competitions. Two seasons ago, Nikola fell two seasons ago a 40 -point, 27 rebound, 10 Assist -Double double on him, so we’ll see how much this trend with Richards plays Joker Strong lasts.

The case to remember: Chemistry is, oh, not big in phoenix

The trade deadline was uneven for Suns. Not only had they had to pay to get off Nurkic’s contract, but the rumors around Durant and Beal were carried by reports that Sun’s closet space is “toxic.” Now the deadline has gone and Durant, and Beal know that Suns was trying to move them (or at least entertained the idea of ​​Durant). Hard to see how suddenly this becomes a kumbaya situation soon. Of course, Phoenix does not have time to wait for cooler heads to win. They have to win games to avoid a direct disaster in one season. How do all these chemistry problems play on a team that is on the second night in the back to back after playing overtime last night? I am fascinated by seeing how these guys work together on the field.

The case to bet: Michael Porter Jr. Over 20.5 points (-105)

Not much brain injury to come with this one. In his last three games, Porter has scored 30, 39 and 30. He is questionable, so a chance that this bet will be closed before the game even starts, but if he is a trip tonight, I expect him to continue with to keep his hot scoring. The injuries could potentially also work in favor of this effort with Jamal Murray questionable. If Jamal is out and Mike player, this almost feels like free money with the way Mike has led to scoring load recently. Add it practically an even money effort and that’s good enough for me.