NBA 2022/23, on Tuesday, 02.05.2023
It’s the playoffs of surprises, if you will!
Bucks out, Grizzlies out – will the highly favored Phoenix Suns, who continue to be listed first by many bookies according to the current NBA champion betting odds, now follow suit?
Admittedly, an outing of the Arizonans would not be a sensation against this opponent! In fact, in my Nuggets Suns betting tip, I’m assuming the home side will claw Game 2 after the opener…
The first game of this exciting series is in the can and the Nuggets could win 125-107 as expected. Although Denver is not favored in expert circles, but the success had been foreshadowed in my opinion.
Because DEN showed in the opener all the things they have excelled at several times this season: An offensive production in which many teammates are involved and not only – as is often the case in recent years – driven by Nikola Jokic.
In addition to the Serb (24), this time it was two other Nuggets, Aaron Gordon (23) and especially Jamal Murray (34), who relieved the superstar on the way forward. Especially Murray sank the important threes at the right time!
In my Nuggets Suns tip, Jamal Murray is probably the main reason why I will place a bet with a verified provider with a valid sports betting license.
After all, the Canadian makes all the difference! Against the Timberwolves, he scored 40 points once and 35 points another time, but the added value he brings is his accuracy from beyond the arc.
Aside from Murray’s ability to sink valuable three-pointers at key moments in the game, the Nuggets were far superior to the Suns in that aspect, with nine more converted threes and a 43.2% accuracy rate.
The Nuggets are better than the Suns beyond the arc and also in securing free balls. With a clear preponderance in rebounds of 49 to 38, Nikola Jokic dominated the action under the board at will.
The Serbian secured 19 rebounds and made opposing center Deandre Ayton look old in the duel on the five. Physically, no player can match Jokic, which is why he remains a fire hazard for Phoenix in Game 2.
Experts predicted that the Suns would have too much offensive power to lose this series. But there hasn’t been too much of that on display so far. And even in key duels – Jokic vs. Ayton, for example – the Nuggets have a clear advantage.
It sounds a bit absurd that Durant averaged 28.4 points before this opener. Because as of right now, KD has never taken fewer shots in the postseason than he has in these playoffs (17 per game).
For example, when the LA Clippers went on a 15-2 run in Game 5, “Durantula” wasn’t involved once. Sure, the Suns have yet to find themselves, but against a team like the Nuggets that scores frequently in the half court, no grace period will be allowed!
In the opener, KD was involved much more often and was even his team’s best player with 29 points, but I get the impression that the Suns just aren’t capable of putting up more.
The Bwin app, meanwhile, reveals that sports bettors had already assessed the situation correctly in the opening game.
Namely, the Nuggets Suns odds paid out an average win factor of 1.56x for DEN’s success in Game 1, just as they would for a back-to-back win in Game 2!
Meanwhile, those who haven’t given up faith in the Arizonans will be rewarded for their loyalty in the markets with PHX winning odds averaging 2.48.
Personally, though, I wouldn’t be tempted to do that, because the difference in performance between the two teams on Sunday was just too stark for that!
Conclusion: The Nuggets looked far too good in two key aspects of the first game to expect a different outcome just 24 hours later.
Namely, Nikola Jokic dominated the duel at the five, securing rebounds galore, while at the same time Jamal Murray once again fired one pinpoint three-pointer after another.
The Suns may yet find their way back into this series, but it probably won’t be until it ships to Arizona. Here and now, I think THAT is by far the better team!
So my Nuggets Suns pick is: Denver with back-to-back wins!
