The Denver Nuggets play host to the Phoenix Suns, at Pepsi Center on Thursday evening. This marks the first game of a home-and-home series between the Suns and Nuggets.
The Suns (15-30) are coming off a tough 112-111 home loss to the Timberwolves on Tuesday, as they were downed by a buzzer-beater from Andrew Wiggins. The Suns had won two straight coming into Tuesday’s loss, where they fell short despite another big night from Devin Booker. Booker scored 26 points to lead his team and mark his tenth straight game with 20 or more points. He averages 20.6 points per game, just slightly less than Eric Bledsoe, who leads the team with an average of 20.8 points per game. The Suns are 5-5 in their last 10 games and sit last place in the West, but are only 4.5 games out of eighth place. They have won their last two games on the road, while they are 7-17 on the road this season.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets (19-25) are also 5-5 in their last 10 games, but have been hot recently, as they have won five of their last seven. They are coming off a well-earned 103-93 win over the Jazz on Tuesday, where Nikola Jokic continued his high-level play, as he led the way with 23 points, to go along with 11 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Jokic averages 15.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season, but has been on fire lately, as he is averaging 23.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in his last 10 games. Jameer Nelson has done a solid job starting at the point, as he covers for Emmanuel Mudiay (back), who has missed the last two games for Denver and is listed as doubtful for action on Thursday. The Nuggets hold on to eighth place in the West, however they will need every win they can muster in order to maintain that position, as even the 15th place Suns are only 4.5 games behind them. The Nuggets have won their last four games at home, where they are 11-11 so far this season.
