Suns Heavy Favorites Over Nuggets in Series Predictions
The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets prepare for battle in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
It's been nearly a week since both teams wrapped their first-round series up in five games, and the time for talk is nearly over.
Here's our staff predictions for who will advance to the Western Conference Finals:
Suns-Nuggets Series Predictions
Donnie Druin: Nuggets in 7
This has the capability to be one of the best seven-game series of the postseason. Between Denver’s depth and Phoenix’s star power, this should go back-and-forth down to the very last game, though I’ll give Denver the homecourt edge. Can Kevin Durant and Devin Booker keep their historic scoring pace up? Will Nikola Jokic have his way in the paint? We’re about to find out.
Everett Williams: Suns in 6
The night the Suns advanced to the second round, Booker broke many franchise records and deservingly gained the attention. However, this series will come down to role players and unexpected heroes. The usual gang of Booker and KD, Jokic and Murray will show up in this series. What will be the difference maker is the ability for players like Paul, Ayton and some bench players to contribute just enough to push the Suns over the edge. I believe the Clippers series actually raised the intensity for the Suns and brought a new level of urgency in The Valley.
Kevin Hicks: Suns in 7
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Denver is a true threat. The Nuggets possess one of the most potent offenses in the league headlined by the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, as well as an improved defense. On the flip side, some of the weaknesses Denver dealt with in the series two years ago are still around, and the Suns added one of the most battle-tested players of our generation in Kevin Durant. The gut feeling is Durant and Booker surrounded with more experienced playoff performers is enough to get over the hump in a tight game 7.
Spencer Cihak: Suns in 6
Both the Suns and Nuggets did not look like the powerhouses they are in round one despite being able to take their respective series in five games. Phoenix’s star power will once again need to overwhelm a roster that is much deeper than their opponent. Monty Williams will need to try something different going into game one on Saturday to ensure that the slow starts come to a halt. I have a hard time imagining a seven game series will end in a Suns win but time will tell.
Hunter Simpson: Suns in 6
The thing that stands out on the stat sheets of both of these series is 37 PPG from Devin Booker and 27 PPG from Jamal Murray. While neither player is likely to keep this production up, the Suns have more players that can step up and play better than they’re expected to.
Furthermore, Durant is a player that on any given night can drop 40+ points and lead this team to a victory, even with Booker scoring 30. The beauty of this duo is that there isn’t much obligation to spread the wealth elsewhere in the starting lineup and they can score at will. Especially with a player like Chris Paul on the roster who can dish over 10 assists per game.
Out of the two teams, the Suns have a more complete starting roster, and more star power. In a tight series, it will come down to Booker and Durant outperforming Murray and Jokic which they have done thus far in the playoffs. People also seem to forget that the Suns have lost just one game that Durant has played in this season.
Remy Mastey: Suns in 6
This series could go either way. However, at the level Devin Booker has been playing at so far, averaging 37.2 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds in the first round of the playoffs, it's tough to see the Suns get bounced out by the Nuggets. It will be difficult for the Nuggets to neutralize both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker as one of them is bound to go off on any given night.
While it won’t be easy to defend the reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Deandre Ayton matches up well against him and proved he can hold his own against Jokic during the 2021 secon- round series where Phoenix swept Denver. If the Suns win at least one of the first two games in Denver, they should have no problem seizing control of this series.
