The Denver Nuggets (16-11) and Phoenix Suns (14-14) face off in the NBA on Christmas Night. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The game will broadcast live on ABC.
The Nuggets are 2.5-point favorites over the Suns on the spread (Nuggets -2.5), with the over/under set at 232.5 total points. Denver is a -150 favorite to win outright, while Phoenix +125 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Nuggets vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, December 25.
Nuggets vs. Suns Prediction, Picks
Spread
My Suns vs. Nuggets best bet is on Denver to cover the spread at -2.5, with the best line available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Moneyline
I'm not betting the moneyline in this contest, but I will be taking the Nuggets to win and cover the spread.
Over/Under
I'm staying away from the total in this matchup.
My Pick: Nuggets -2.5
Nuggets vs. Suns Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | -150 |
| Suns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | +125 |
- Nuggets vs. Suns spread: Nuggets -2.5
- Nuggets vs. Suns over/under: 231.5 total points
- Nuggets vs. Suns moneyline: Nuggets -145, Suns +120
- Nuggets vs. Suns best bet:Nuggets -2.5
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns NBA Christmas Preview
Two years ago, the Nuggets and Suns played one of the best Christmas day games in recent memory. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets to a 128-125 overtime victory after dropping 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists. Eye-popping stat lines have been a regular occurrence for Jokic this season as the three-time MVP is averaging 30.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 9.7 assists.
More recently, the teams met on Monday night in Denver and the Nuggets cruised to a 117-90 victory. Last season, the Suns were able to hold Jokic to just 21.1 points per game, as Jokic's former teammate, Jusuf Nurkic, joined the roster. Now, the Suns have another former Nuggets center on the roster in Mason Plumlee, but the familarity with Jokic's tendencies did not matter on Monday night. Jokic scored 32 points on 12-for-17 from the field and Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points on 10-for-12 from the field.
A pair of notable absences from Monday night's tilt were guards Jamal Murray and Devin Booker. Murray is questionable with an ankle injury and his return would be a big boost to the Nuggets as he has started to snap out of his early season funk. Over his last four games, Murray is averaging 24.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.
Meanwhile, Booker has missed the last two games with a groin injury and he will be out once again tonight. That will put more pressure on Kevin Durant, but the future Hall-of-Famer is certainly up to the task. Prior to Monday's blowout, Durant had averaged 40 points, 7.5 rebounds, and six assists in his previous two games. Durant has also scored the fourth-most points in NBA history on Christmas Day.
However, without Booker, the Suns will need another big game from Bradley Beal. Dating back to last season, Beal has scored 20 points in seven of his last nine games without Booker. In that span, he is averaging 23.3 points per game and has scored 25 points in four of those games.
Nuggets vs. Suns Best Bets, Predictions
If the Suns are able to keep Durant, Booker, and Beal healthy, they may make a deep run this postseason. However, the trio has played just 10 games together. They are 13-5 when Durant plays this season, but they went 1-6 during his first stint on the sidelines last month. Now, they have lost three games in a row in which Booker did not finish the game or not play at all.
Additionally, the Suns have been dreadful against the spread this season. At 9-19-1 ATS, Phoenix is the least profitable team to back in the NBA entering today's games. Denver has not been much better at 11-15-1 ATS, but it has won six of the last 10 meetings and covered in all six victories. At -2.5, I have to back the Nuggets in this spot and we may see this line increase if Murray gets ruled in before tip. Additionally, a few players that I will be backing tonight include Beal, Porter, Durant, and Jokic.
As mentioned, Beal has a strong track record scoring wise when Booker is out of the lineup. Meanwhile, Porter has scored 16 points in seven of his last 10 games, hitting at a 74% clip this season. He has also scored 18 points in six of his last eight games against the Suns.
Over that same span, Durant has scored 25 points in six of his last eight games against the Nuggets. In the two misses, he finished with 23 points. Without Booker, he will see north of 20 field goal attempts.
Lastly, Jokic had a rare game on Monday as he finished with two rebounds and seven assists. However, he has still recorded 21 rebounds and assists in 67% of his games this season. He has cleared the line in nine of his last 12 games against the Suns. Against centers, Phoenix is 20th in rebounds allowed per game and 27th in assists per game this season.
At +1000 odds, we will have a great chance to close the holiday on a high note.
Best Bet: Nuggets -2.5 (-110)
Suns vs. Nuggets Parlay Picks
- Bradley Beal 25+ Points
- Kevin Durant 25+ Points
- Michael Porter Jr. Over 15.5 Points
- Nikola Jokic Over 20.5 Rebounds + Assists
Parlay Payout: +1000
