The Denver Nuggets couldn’t take a commanding 3-1 series lead in Phoenix against the Suns over the weekend and return home with the series tied at two games a piece.
Denver hasn’t been able to slow down Devin Booker or Kevin Booker, who has combined for 83 and 75 points respectively between Game 3 and 4, but Nikola Jokic has also been cooking with a career playoff high 53 in the Game 4 loss.
Will Phoenix’s stars continue to shoot lights out, or will the depth of Denver around Jokic round into from at home?
Let’s check out the odds for Tuesday’s Game 5:
Suns vs. Nuggets odds, spread and total
Suns vs. Nuggets prediction and pick
The two Suns’ stars are carrying the team to the finish line of these games, but Booker has been truly playing with video game like efficiency. He combined for 83 points on 34-of-43 shooting in the two games in Phoenix. At a point, you need to tip your cap.
However, the Suns haven’t been able to close the door easily against Denver despite some of the most proficient shot making in league history. That’s because the Nuggets are a better team and have the depth to outpace the Suns.
Phoenix doesn’t have an answer for Jokic down low, who is fresh off a career high 53 points and are now playing Jock Landale nearly as minutes than Deandre Ayton in hopes of getting a defensive spark. The Nuggets were +2 in Jokic’s 39 minutes, so when he is on the floor the team continues to win, but the Nuggets needs a boost from role players at home to push ahead and keep the team afloat when the big man sits.
Even with the massive Booker and Durant performance, it was Landry Shamet’s 17 points off the bench with five three’s that was ultimately the difference. On the road, I don’t envision that will happen again and I see the likes of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (no three’s made) and Michael Porter Jr. (only hit two of nine three’s) to round into form.
The Nuggets are the better team and have more avenues to success against this Suns team. If Booker continues to not miss, then so it, but I think he’s human and if he is even a bit worse, the Nuggets win going away.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.