Nuggets vs. Suns Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NBA Playoffs Game 3 (Phoenix Rides Early Momentum to Victory)

Nuggets vs. Suns Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NBA Playoffs Game 3 (Phoenix Rides Early Momentum to Victory)

Updated:

The 2022-23 NBA Playoffs continue on Wednesday with an exciting Game 3 showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Suns vs. Nuggets Game Info

  • Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 PM ET
  • Venue: Footprint Center -- Phoenix, Arizona
  • Coverage: ESPN

After Jamal Murray guided the Nuggets to a win in Game 1, Nikola Jokic stepped up for the Nuggets to secure a 2-0 series lead on Monday night. The two-time NBA MVP logged 39 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists in what turned out to be a 97-87 victory. Now the series shifts to the Footprint Center.

Suns vs. Nuggets Odds & Spread

  • All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
  • Moneyline: PHO: (-184) | DEN: (+154)
  • Spread: PHO: -4.5 (-110) | DEN: +4.5 (-110)
  • Total: 225.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Suns enter this contest as home favorites on the spread and moneyline at FanDuel Sportsbook. This Wednesday night clash also features a total of 225.5 points with both sides available at -110 odds.

Suns vs Nuggets Betting Information
Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline
Suns -5 -110 -110 225.5 -110 -110 -210 +176

Suns vs. Nuggets Betting Trends

  • The Suns have registered a 40-38-2 record against the spread this season.
  • The Nuggets have been underdogs by 5 points or more nine times this year and are 7-2 ATS in those matchups.
  • This season, Suns games have hit the over 40 times.
  • Nuggets games this year have gone over the point total 37 times in 80 opportunities (46.2%).
  • Phoenix has covered the spread in the same percentage of games at home as road games (50%). It has covered 20 times in 40 games when playing at home and 20 times in 40 games on the road.
  • Denver has been better against the spread at home (25-14-1) than on the road (20-20-0) this season.

Suns vs. Nuggets Prediction & Pick

Jokic's performance served as a highlight of Game 2, but the Suns' inability to find any sort of groove on the offensive end served as the main storyline. While Devin Booker dropped 33 points, the duo of Kevin Durant and Chris Paul combined for 32 points on a subpar 37.8% shooting mark (14-of-37).

To make matters worse, Paul left the game with a groin injury and his status moving forward remains up in the air. The good news for Phoenix is that it is back on its home court for Game 3. The Suns own a 30-14 record at the Footprint Center this season and a +4.9 average scoring margin (No. 9 in NBA).

Phoenix has also won five of its last six home games against Denver. The Nuggets see their scoring average drop from 118.7 points to 112.3 when on the road this season, while the Suns averaged 123.0 points per home game in the first round. I trust the home team to avoid an 0-3 hole here.

Final Score Prediction: Suns: 116 | Nuggets: 109

Suns vs. Nuggets Best Bet

It's worth noting the Suns have held a lead at the end of the first quarter in each of the first two games of this Western Conference series, but couldn't hold onto it. That shouldn't come as a major surprise given Phoenix leads the NBA when it comes to first-quarter points allowed per game (27.4).

The Suns held Denver to an average of 24.5 first-quarter points per game over the first two contests despite having to battle a rowdy crowd. With the fans now on their side, head coach Monty William's squad has a chance to keep the defensive intensity going and finally find some offensive momentum.

Bet: First Quarter Spread: Phoenix Suns -0.5 (-140)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.