The Western Conference Semifinal round of the NBA Playoffs officially gets underway tonight. All four of the higher seeds advanced in the First Round, which sets up a very intriguing matchup on the 2-3 seed line. The Denver Nuggets will look to ride MVP favorite Nikola Jokic to another series win as they take on the young and hungry Phoenix Suns. This NBA betting preview for the Nuggets vs Suns NBA Playoffs matchup will provide game info, betting trends, odds and a prediction for Game 1 of this series.
Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Game Info | NBA Playoffs
NBA Western Conference Semifinals NBA Playoffs Game 1
Denver Nuggets (51-27, 24-15 Away) vs. Phoenix Suns (55-23, 29-10 Home)
Date: Monday, June 7, 2021
Start Time: 10 p.m. EST
Venue: Phoenix Suns Arena — Phoenix, AZ
Even without Jamal Murray and Will Barton, the Nuggets ousted the Portland Trail Blazers from the NBA Playoffs in six games. Denver was a slim NBA betting underdog on the series lines ahead of that First Round matchup and are even larger dogs coming into this Western Conference Semifinals matchup. Nikola Jokic was spectacular for the Nuggets throughout the First Round against Portland. This includes a 36-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist line in the close-out victory in Game 6. The Nuggets will get a much stiffer defensive test from the Suns than they did the Blazers. As such, it will be paramount for Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris to carry their strong play over into this Second Round.
The Suns were NBA betting series underdogs in their own right in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs. Well, the 2-seed in the West has proven their metal. After dethroning the reigning NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games, the Suns have their sights set on accomplishing a whole lot more this season. Even as Chris Paul battled through a shoulder injury and had multiple off-nights in the First Round, Phoenix was able to prevail. Devin Booker went off in both Games 5 and 6 against L.A. He dropped 47 points and grabbed 11 boards in the close-out win. Phoenix will look for center Deandre Ayton to regain the form he displayed over the first four games of the postseason tonight.
Nuggets vs Suns NBA Betting Odds
Moneyline: DEN: (+170) | PHX: (-200)
Spread: DEN: +5 (-110) | PHX: -5 (-110)
Total: 220.5 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)
Nuggets vs Suns NBA Betting Trends
- Nuggets are 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last six conference semifinals games.
- Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last seven playoff games as an NBA betting favorite.
- Suns are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games following an outright win of 10 points or more.
- Over is 6-1 in the Nuggets’ last seven games.
- Under is 3-0-1 in the Suns’ last four home games against teams with a winning record.
- Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last ten head-to-head matchups against the Suns in Phoenix.
Nuggets vs Suns Prediction
This NBA prediction uses NumberFire’s probability model. They give Phoenix a 63.5% chance to win Game 1 of this NBA Playoffs matchup.
