Playoffs Almost Here

It's a good time for basketball fans right now. Post all-star break hoops has never been more competitive with the introduction of the Play-In tournament, and now that the NCAA tournament has wrapped up, we can focus on these final regular season games that carry seeding implications - more so out West, considering the East is pretty much locked up as of last night 🔒

Tonight's slate of NBA action is headlined by one of the best possible games - Denver pays a visit to Phoenix in what should be a fun preview of a second round playoff matchup 🌋

• While the Nuggets suffered an embarrassing 21-point defeat to the Rockets on Tuesday, I would imagine they come out with more urgency tonight

• With Memphis' loss last night to the Pelicans, Jokic and co only have locked up the No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history, solidifying home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference postseason

One subject that will be dissected throughout the off-season, especially if a team like the Suns or Lakers are able to make a deep playoff run, will be the importance of the regular season 👀

• The toll of an 82-game season during a time when players are putting extended miles on their bodies from a young age suggests stars will continue missing time and prioritize good health heading into April

• Just take a look at the current title odds, which currently give Phoenix a higher chance of hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy than the Nuggets, who have established continuity all year 

NBA Finals Odds Betting Preview

• Bucks: +240

• Celtics: +360

• Suns: +500

• Sixers: +850

• Nuggets: +950

• Warriors: +950

Showdown In Phoenix

While this game had high stakes for Denver before last night's Grizzlies loss, Phoenix does not have as much to play for - they are locked into the four seed. However, as of writing this, the Suns have not included any of their starters on the injury report, and can still use the remaining games to build chemistry with a team that has barely played with KD...if that even matters 👇

• To extend the sample size back to his Brooklyn days, KD is 24-2 in his last 26 contests. During that stretch he is averaging 29 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG on a crazy 59/45/93 shooting splits

• Aside from this offensive absurdity, the Slim Reaper has been asked to provide some rim protection for a Phoenix squad that is fairly thin in the front-court outside of Deandre Ayton

Assuming both teams are playing at full capacity and choosing not to sit anyone, this should be a fairly close one. The Suns' depth is their biggest question mark, Denver's second-unit will have to take advantage when given the opportunity

• Nikola Jokic has played well against Deandre Ayton over the course of his career - in the only two games from this season he's averaging 31 PPG, 16.5 RPG and 12 APG

• Look for Phoenix to target Jokic in drop-coverage, as Booker and KD will be able to step into open mid-range jumpers. Jamal Murray and MPJ will have to shoulder a scoring load if the Nuggets want to keep up with the Suns' high-powered offense

This game is must watch basketball - the best team out West record wise vs. the team nobody wants to see in the playoffs. Peep how the lines are shaping up 👇

Nuggets vs. Suns Betting Preview

• Spread: Suns -6.5

• Moneyline: Suns -265, Nuggets +225

• When: 10PM EST on TNT

For My Parlay Gurus

Considering what Joel Embiid did the other night vs. the Celtics, Jokic needs a big game to stay in the MVP race. I don't think they'll pull out a win, but I'll take the Nuggets with the points. Plus, since Utah is resting a lot of their starters tonight and OKC is still in the play-in race, I'm going with the Thunder to cover spread as well. Check it out 👇

• Nuggets +6.5 @ Suns: -110

• Thunder -5.5 @ Jazz: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $264 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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