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Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns: Home preview

By Mathew Huff

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on February 10, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on February 10, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After escaping the Clippers for a win, the Denver Nuggets will be in for a battle with a scrappy Phoenix Suns team.

The Denver Nuggets are already off to a promising start to the NBA regular season. Then again, so are the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns came away with a win over the Dallas Mavericks in their season opener as Devin Booker went for a total of 35 points on an outstanding 63.2% field goal percentage.

Not to mention, first overall pick, Deandre Ayton, had an impressive rookie debut as he came away with 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists completely outplaying the other DeAndre in DeAndre Jordan who had a stat line of 11 points, 12 rebounds, one assist and a box plus/minus of -21.

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With all of this in mind, the Nuggets cannot overlook this team as this is not the old Phoenix Suns from last year. Especially since this is the classic trap game Denver has been known to lose. You know, a team they are projected to defeat, then lose by playing down to their level. This had a big reason for why the team missed the post season by one game last year.

For this game, Jamal Murray has to play better than he did in the season opener. He shot only 25% from the field in the game against the Clippers and only came away with seven points. The one bright side was he recorded a box plus/minus of +18.

Gary Harris will also be key as he will be tasked with containing the red hot Devin Booker for the majority of the game. If there is one player on the Nuggets who can at least slow Booker down, it is Gary.

Even though only one game has been played, Harris is averaging a defensive rating of 109 so far, the best since his rookie season. Not to mention, he also possesses a net positive defensive box plus/minus so far (0.5) which is already an improvement from last year.

The Nuggets are a better team from last season, but so are the Suns. This should shape up to be a fun match up to watch and since this is the home opener for Denver, it is a game they should win.

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However, they have to be prepared as the Suns are on a mission to show the league they are going to be a force to be reckoned with not just in the future, but this season as well.

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