![]() ![]() Read our guide on how to bet on basketball.1 seed we’ve seen over time, but this is a deep team with elite star power – to the point where Murray’s Game 1 heroics relegated the two-time reigning MVP in Nikola Jokic (24 points, 19 rebounds) to a relative footnote in a blowout affair. It ultimately didn’t matter, as Durant’s scoring prowess was no match for Los Angeles’ injury-riddled roster. Those issues aren’t going away anytime soon: the Suns surrendered at least 12 offensive rebounds in three of their five games against the Clippers, and they finished with double-digit turnovers in four of those five contests. His hot hand helped the Nuggets overcome the Suns’ strong shooting night from the floor (51.2%), though that offensive surge for Phoenix came with a healthy heap of live-ball turnovers and a lousy effort on the glass, where Denver won the rebounding battle by 11 with 16 offensive boards in total. Murray led all players with 34 points and nine assists, hitting six of his team’s 16 threes with a display of elite shot-making that Suns coach Monty Williams essentially deemed “unguardable” in his postgame presser. He’s back in a big way this year, as he showed in a dominant Game 1 performance. The Nuggets lead guard showed flashes of postseason brilliance in 2020, when he averaged 26.5 points with four games of at least 40 points – including two 50-pieces – but injuries have sidelined the dynamic scorer for each of Denver’s last two postseason runs. The biggest one, clearly, is how to stop Jamal Murray. Whatever you thought of these two teams entering this series, it’s hard to ignore what we saw from the Nuggets in their 125-107 home win in Game 1.Īnd the Suns left that loss, with plenty of questions that just might not have answers by Game 2. ![]() Here’s how we’re betting Monday’s contest, which tips off at 10 p.m. Will it be enough to turn the tides in their favor? ![]() will almost certainly deliver a counterpunch after that early loss. Now they find themselves dealing as underdogs to win their second-round series against the Nuggets, who are favored to win Game 2 after a statement win to open this series.ĭenver had little issue dispatching the mighty Suns in the first game of this series, though Kevin Durant and co. Just a few days ago, the Suns were the favorites to win the Western Conference and among the favorites to win it all. Plus, if Ayton continues to play as well as he has so far in the playoffs, the Suns will have a huge advantage.Get the free Action Network app for expert picks, live odds, bet tracking and more. Without Jamal Murray, the Nuggets just might not have enough firepower to keep up with the Suns, who appear to be clicking on all cylinders. The Suns dominated the second half of Game 1, and they'll look to carry that momentum over to Game 2. They obviously won't want to fall behind 2-0 in the series, so look for the Nuggets to come out focused and motivated in Game 2. Against a team with as much firepower as Phoenix, that's not going to get it done, especially without Jamal Murray. The Nuggets will need Jokic to be a bit better in Game 2 too, as he shot under 50 percent from the floor and scored only 22 points in Game 1. They were very solid in the first half of the first game, but they seemed to lose focus in the second half, as Phoenix took advantage of lapses on the defensive end. Nuggets: There's no reason for Denver to panic after their Game 1 loss, they just have to sustain their effort for a full 48 minutes moving forward. If that trend continues, the Suns should be able to win the series. Jokic and Ayton matched minutes in Game 1, and the Suns won those minutes by 13 points. He made him work for his points (Jokic shot just 10-of-23), and he also made him work defensively (Ayton scored 20 points). ![]() Ayton made things difficult on both ends for Jokic in Game 1. Suns: One of the biggest factors in the Suns' success so far this postseason is the play of Deandre Ayton, Ayton played very well against the Lakers in the first round, and that continued in the first game against the Nuggets. ![]()
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