The Phoenix Suns (42-30, 8th in Western Conference) look to rebound from a tough loss tonight against the defending-champion Denver Nuggets (51-21, 1st in Western Conference). This is the third contest of Phoenix’s five-game road trip and final meeting between these two teams this season.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Meanwhile, the Nuggets have all but one starter of their own injured. Both Jamal Murray (right knee inflammation) and Aaron Gordon (right plantar fascia strain) are questionable. Nikola Jokić (low back pain/left hip inflammation) and Michael Porter Jr. (illness) are probable.
Last time out between these two teams on March 5, the Suns handed Denver one of only two losses the Nuggets have had since the All-Star break (15-2), a 117-107 road overtime victory without Devin Booker. Kevin Durant had 35 points on 14-of-34 shooting in this game, while Grayson Allen had 28 including eight 3-pointers. Nurkić, although he fouled out late, did a great job against Jokić in this matchup, holding the two-time MVP to 25 points on 8-of-18 shooting, seven turnovers and a -13 plus/minus. The Suns improved to 1-1 against Denver this season.
In complete contrast to this win, the Suns are coming off one of the worst losses in the NBA this season, a 104-102 loss Monday to the 16-56 San Antonio Spurs missing Victor Wembanyama. Devin Booker (36 points) and Kevin Durant (29 points) had strong outings, but were two of only three Suns to score in double figures. Phoenix completely overlooked a San Antonio team they had just blown out by 25 two days prior.
The Nuggets extended their four-game win streak with a 128-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Monday. Jokić had 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as six Nuggets scored in double-figures.
Local Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. MST
Location: Ball Arena
TV Channel: AZ Family/ 3TV, ESPN
Radio:Â Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream:Â Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 27, 2024
Betting Odds
Line: DEN -7.5
O/U:Â 227.5
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal (right ring finger sprain) QUESTIONABLE | Jusuf Nurkić (right ankle sprain) QUESTIONABLE | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT
Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray (right knee inflammation) QUESTIONABLE | Aaron Gordon (right plantar fascia strain) QUESTIONABLE | Nikola Jokić (low back pain/left hip inflammation) PROBABLE | Michael Porter Jr. (illness) PROBABLE | Zeke Nnaji (right adductor tendinitis) OUT | Vlatko Cancar (left knee surgery) OUT
Starters (Projected)
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal/Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić/Drew Eubanks
Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray/Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon/Christian Braun, Nikola Jokić
Five Keys to Game for Suns
- Limiting turnovers
- Defensive pressure/playing in transition
- Limiting Nikola Jokić
- Cleaning up the glass
- 3-point defense
Prediction
Nuggets 121 – Suns 110
This matchup could come down to who is available, but it would especially be tough for Phoenix to get a win without Nurkić. With that being said, the Suns do matchup with the Nuggets arguably better than any team in the West as we have seen in the last two meetings even with at least one of the Big 3 out both times. However, Denver will be extra motivated to get back at the Suns for the last matchup and could be more than capable of doing so easily depending who is available.
Even so, the Nuggets have the upper hand in this matchup with Jokić, and I’d expect them to take care of business against a Suns team at arguably the lowest point of the year.
Last Meeting (March 5, 2024)
Suns Secure Nail-Biting Victory in Overtime Battle Against Denver Nuggets
Team Matchup Notes
Everything to know about the Spurs and Nuggets before their third and final meeting this season:
Each team’s stats (via Suns):
Preview: Injury report
Suns reveal statuses of Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić for tomorrow’s game vs. Nuggets
Preview: Burn City Suns Talk Podcast
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
