Jokic and Murray are second only to Steph Curry and Draymond Green in two-man-game chemistry, and like the Warriors, they require a coordinated team effort to defend. Jokic also has a supporting cast this time around, which should make Ayton’s job much more difficult. In the meetings since the 2021 playoffs, Jokic has regularly abused Ayton on the block, facing up, and on the boards. Ayton did an admirable job defending Joker in the 2021 series, but typically after an opponent plays him well a few times, Jokic figures them out and proceeds to routinely dominate them. The key to Game 1, and perhaps the entire series, is whether Deandre Ayton can guard Jokic one on one. While the data is limited on the Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul group, their individual scoring talent alone is enough to melt even the strongest defensive units.Īnd yet the Total for Saturday’s game has come in at a relatively modest 226.5, so I’m going with the Over and parlaying it with the Nuggets moneyline to maximize expected value, as I believe a few structural advantages are going to give Denver a leg up in Game 1. averaged 127 points per 100 possessions this season, a 99th percentile mark among all NBA lineups per Cleaning the Glass. The Nuggets trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. Both the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns have incredible top-end talent and otherworldly offenses. Suns vs Nuggets Game 1 picks and predictions Nuggets expect an offensive explosion that plays in Denver’s favor. Our NBA picks and predictions for Game 1 of Suns vs. Meanwhile, the Suns blew up their roster at the trade deadline to add Kevin Durant, and while they have overwhelming talent, they’re still learning to play with one another, even as they close to within 12 wins of an NBA title. The Nuggets, buoyed by back-to-back defending NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, have a core group that has played together for years. And the contrast between the two Western Conference teams could hardly be more stark. A nearby fan who was involved was ejected.The second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs tips off on Saturday, April 29 with perhaps the most anticipated matchup of the entire season between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. Jokic was given a technical foul for the incident. As he was trying to get the ball he pushed Suns owner Mat Ishbia. Jokic was attempting to grab a loose basketball out of bounds. Nikola Jokic, Suns owner involved in incident on baseline The Nuggets' big man needs a little more help from Jamal Murray and others. He scored 42 points in three quarters and finished with a game-high 53 points. The two-time MVP had his way versus the Suns defense. Jokic was not trying to fly back to Denver with the series tied 2-2. ![]() The Suns bench outscored Denver’s bench 40 to 11. ![]() The reserve guard hit five threes and scored 19 points. The Nuggets often sent Landry Shamet’s man to double team Devin Booker or Kevin Durant, and Shamet made Denver pay. Landry Shamet comes up huge off the bench Overall, the Suns shot a scorching 56.8% from the floor. The Suns had a 98-92 advantage entering the fourth quarter. The Nuggets were 14 of 19 in the third quarter, resulting in a 73.7 shooting percentage. Suns' hot shootingĭefense was nonexistent Sunday at the Footprint Center, especially in the third quarter. ![]() He has his entire offensive arsenal working right now. He didn’t score in the fourth quarter, but Kevin Durant and Landry Shamet helped carry the scoring load as the Suns closed out the win.īooker is 34-of-43 shooting the last two games. The Nuggets made an effort to double team him in the fourth quarter. Booker was 14-17 from the floor through three quarters and finished with 36 points. Devin Booker’s hot streak continued into Game 4.
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