Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns - 12/23/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns

Date: Monday, December 23, 2019

Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ

TV: Fox Sports Arizona

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (19-8, 1st in the Northwest Division) head to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Monday where they'll take on the Phoenix Suns (11-18, 4th in the Pacific Division). Denver opens this matchup as 3.5 point favorites. The total opens at 224.

The Nuggets are covering the spread 45.8% of the time, having gone 11-13-3 ATS. Phoenix is covering the spread 53.6% of the time, going 15-13-1 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/21/2019 Paul Millsap PF Knee Game Time Decision

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/21/2019 Deandre Ayton C Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
12/21/2019 Ricky Rubio PG Illness Expected to be out until at least Dec 23

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic comes into this contest averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 10.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Jamal Murray averages 17.9 points per game in 31.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.4 assists per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 24.5 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 6.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 91%. Kelly Oubre averages 17.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.9 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 106.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 14.0 per game. The Nuggets allow 101.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 6th in the league with 114.8 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -0.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 24th in the league in rebounding with 43.1 boards per game, and 1st in assists per contest with 28.4. The Suns are 23rd in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Suns surrender 115.6 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.9 assists allowed per contest and 18th with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 103.3, and their offensive rating of 108.5 is ranked 2nd. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 22nd. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA. Denver is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 6th in the league. The Suns are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.4, and their defensive rating of 111.2 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 14th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Phoenix +3.5

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