Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Prediction: Potential Second-Round match-up

NBA season is one long ride and we see fortunes overturn throughout the season. Streaks define a team, some winning streaks can correct the record while a long losing streak can derail the whole campaign. The team that navigates proficiently through this ends up on the top and history has shown that higher seeds make big runs. But what if a comparatively lower seed changes its complexion and overturns the Regular Season record? One such resurgent squad, the Phoenix Suns is going to take on the Denver Nuggets.

The Suns come into the affair after winning 115:94 against the Spurs, thanks to a 27 points performance by Devin Booker. Phoenix has won six in a row and their chances have been boosted to make a deep Playoff run as they have cemented the fourth spot after it looked like they may fall in the Play-in tournament. While the last season saw the Suns win the most games in the league, finishing with over 60 wins in the Regular Season, acquiring Kevin Durant surely makes them a serious contender in a move that has brought huge gains. Remember the Suns are yet to lose when Durant is active and this makes them a big-time contender.

The Nuggets enter the fray after a bizarre 103:124 loss against the Rockets despite a 23 points performance by Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets have now lost three of their four games. They began the season with 33 wins and 13 losses but since then they have just 19 wins and 14 losses which is a matter of serious concern. They are likely to end up with the top seed but would have liked to enter the Playoffs with a much better performance in the second half of the season. Still, it is hard to discount a unit that plays methodically, a style well-suited for the Playoffs and the balance around Nikola Jokic is the best it has ever been. But will they last even till the Conference Finals?

• Suns: Nothing at the time of writing;
• Nuggets: OUT: Collin Gillespie. QUESTIONABLE: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Zeke Nnaji.

The Suns are now looking like a lethal team and they have raised eyebrows around the league through their scintillating play after faltering around the midseason. For the Nuggets, there is no shortage of options on either end but they haven’t lived up to their billing lately. Still, a first seed brings home-court advantage but there is some way to go. I believe the Suns will win this one and predict a scoreline of 124:118 in their favor.