Nuggets vs. Suns Game 1, 6/7/21 NBA Playoffs Predictions

Nuggets vs. Suns Game 1 Prediction

The Nuggets and Suns will open their West semifinals series on Monday night at 10:00 p.m. ET in Phoenix, where the Suns are 4.5-point favorites and the total sits at 2195.5. What’s the best bet when it comes this series opener?

Game Snapshot

583 Denver Nuggets (+4.5) at 584 Phoenix Suns (-4.5); o/u 219.5

7:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, June 7, 2021

Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA

TV: TNT

Denver Nuggets DFS Notes

Michael Porter Jr. was scorching hot early and finished Thursday’s Game 6 win with 26 points, five boards, four assists, six 3-pointers and a turnover in 34 minutes. He had 12 of the team’s first 15 points (all on triples), and his 22 points in his incredible first quarter were the most in a first quarter in the playoffs in the last 25 years. All six of his threes were made in that first quarter as well, which tied him for the most in any quarter in NBA postseason history. He has been playing at an elite level since his dud in Game 4, so whatever happened between then and now worked wonders. He’s still only 22 years old and is already a top option on this deep Denver team, and his strong defense will keep him in the game even if his shot isn’t falling some nights. Denver will play the winner of the Lakers vs. Suns series, a result they could find out as soon as tonight.

Phoenix Suns DFS Notes

Chris Paul intends to decline his $44.4 million player option for the 2021-22 season, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. When the Thunder traded CP3 to the Suns last year, it was assumed Paul would opt in to the final year of his contract. However, Paul then delivered an MVP-caliber campaign in his age-35 season, averaging 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, and helped lead the Suns to (at least) the second round of the playoffs. Per Pincus' report, Paul hopes to sign a new multiyear deal "perhaps in the $100 million range over three seasons."

Nuggets vs. Suns Playoffs Prediction

The over is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams and is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Phoenix. The over is also 6-1 in the Nuggets’ last seven games overall, is 5-1 in their last six games as an underdog and is 5-1 in their last six playoff games when receiving points. On the other side, the over is 9-3 in the Suns’ last 12 games as a favorite, is 23-9-1- in their last 33 games following an ATS win and is 22-7 in their last 29 games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

NBA PLAYOFFS PREDICTION: NUGGETS/SUNS OVER 219.5