Posted on
1/7/2008 4:11:48 PM
NBA Wagering Action – Nuggets at Suns
By Eric Williams
The Denver Nuggets, (20-12 SU, 16-16 ATS, 16-16 O/U) and their fans are enjoying something the Philadelphia 76ers and their fans were routinely treated to for years – the always-entertaining, Allen Iverson show.
Iverson, who I covered and watched for years when we were both plying our respective trades in Philadelphia a few years back, is on a roll of nearly epic proportions – even for the diminutive, high-scoring guard from Georgetown University.
The Nuggets have won six of their last seven games and three straight, including a decisive 109-96 home win over the Sixers last night.
Iverson has been going off on opponents lately, even more so than usual, averaging 36.7 points per game during Denver’s winning streak, including a 39-point outburst against his former team.
While the Phoenix Suns, (23-10 SU, 14-18-1 ATS, 17-16 O/U) are still leading the league in scoring thanks to their up-tempo brand of basketball and the sleight-of-hand wizardry of point guard Steve Nash, something seems just a bit off kilter with the Suns this season.
Phoenix had their four-game winning streak snapped by the hungry New Orleans Hornets on Saturday, losing 118-113 at home. The Hornets also beat the Suns 101-98 at home on Dec. 15, 10 days before the Los Angeles Lakers routed them on Christmas Day 122-115 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicates.
The Suns have six players averaging in double figures, led by all-star power forward Amare Stiudemire (22.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg).
Denver is the fourth in the league in offense, averaging 106.5 points per game, with Iverson (26.9 ppg) and fellow superstar Carmelo Anthony (25.3) combining for just under half of those points (52.2 ppg) each contest.
The Suns are leading the league in scoring for the fourth straight season, averaging 109.3 points per game with Nash on pace to lead the league in assists for the fourth straight season with a career-high of 12.3 per game.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks.
Key Nuggets Trends
The Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
The Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.
The Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. Western Conference.
Key Suns Trends
The Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last seven Monday games.
The Suns are 3-8 ATS in their last eleven games as a favorite.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 10-2 in Nuggets last 12 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 4-1 in Nuggets last five games playing on zero days rest.
The Under is 4-0 in Suns last four vs. NBA Northwest.
The Under is 9-3 in Suns last 12 vs. Western Conference.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
The Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Phoenix.
Analysis: While the Phoenix Suns are the league’s best offense, the Denver Nuggets aren’t far behind and actually have more physicality than the Suns in the frontcourt. Take the streaking Nuggets to cover the spread tonight with a chance of winning outright.
NBA Free Picks: Denver +7.5 Points/Over 227.5 Total Points
09:05 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Denver Nuggets +7½ -110
Phoenix Suns -7½ -110
Over 227½ -110
Under 227½ -110
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