Suns vs. Nuggets: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks (Jan. 1)
The Phoenix Suns open the New Year with a game against the Denver Nuggets, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, moneyline odds and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.
The game tips off at 9:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on Fox Sports Arizona (PHX) and Altitude TV (DEN).
The Suns have carried their bubble momentum into the regular season and are an impressive 4-1 on the strength of their fantastic defensive performances.
The Suns are ranked second in the league in defensive rating, while the struggling 1-3 Nuggets are 29th in the same category. Phoenix is playing the second game of a back-to-back after beating the Jazz on Thursday night.
Michael Porter Jr. is out for Denver due to the NBA’s health and safety protocol, while Jamal Murry is listed as day-to-day with an elbow injury.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
Point spread: Nuggets -4.5
Money line: Nuggets -190 / Suns +155
Over-under: 222.5
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN and WV at BetMGM.
Advice and prediction
Yes, the Suns won’t be as fresh as the Nuggets after playing on Thursday, but Phoenix has been playing some sensational basketball early in the year, and getting 4.5 points is a lot of value here given the Nuggets’ early struggles.
Denver did go 4-0 against Phoenix last season, but this is a different Suns team. Suns +4.5 is the strongest play, and I wouldn’t rule out a bet on the Suns moneyline at +155.
I’m staying away from a bet on the total, but leaning the under. The Suns are allowing a league best 97.8 points per game, while the Nuggets are allowing an awful 120.3 points through four games. Michael Porter Jr.’s absence may actually help Denver on the defensive end, but Denver shouldn’t be this bad and I’d expect a return to form eventually.
Prediction: Suns 108, Nuggets 106
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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