Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 12/29/2018

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, December 29, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 3 point favorites.

The Nuggets have a record of 21-11. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 5.3 as they average 109.8 points per game while giving up 104.5 per contest. The Suns have an overall mark of 9-26. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They total 105.1 points per contest and give up 113.6, which is a point differential of -8.5.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 19-13-0 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 13-19-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 16-19-0 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 15-20-0 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/07/18 G Gary Harris Hip is out indefinitely
12/07/18 F Paul Millsap Toe is out indefinitely
10/22/18 G Will Barton Hip is out indefinitely
10/11/18 G Isaiah Thomas Hip is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/26/18 G Jamal Crawford Knee is questionable Friday vs Oklahoma City

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 17.7 points per game in 30.6 minutes per contest. He averages 7.3 assists per contest and 9.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Jamal Murray comes into this contest averaging 17.4 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 25.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 36.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.0 rebounds per contest and 7.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 85%. T.J. Warren averages 18.5 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nuggets allow 104.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.6 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they give up 23.3 assists per contest which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 13.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league. Denver averages 109.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 46.8 rebounds per game and 26.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Suns surrender 113.6 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.3 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 46.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game. Phoenix is 26th in the league with 105.1 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -8.5. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 41.4 boards per game and 18th in assists per contest with 23.9. The Suns are 2nd in turnovers per game with 15.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.4, and their defensive rating of 107 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. As a team they are 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league. Denver is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 2nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Suns are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.4, and their defensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 21st. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Phoenix +3

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