Posted on
4/1/2008 2:24:18 PM
NBA Western Conference Showdown – Nuggets Host Suns As Playoff Push Continues
By Eric Williams
The Denver Nuggets, (45-28 SU, 40-33 ATS, 42-31 O/U), may have been locked in a virtual three-way tie for the final two spots in the western conference playoffs with the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors heading into last night’s road contest against the Phoenix Suns, (49-24 SU, 34-36-3 ATS, 41-32 O/U), but the Nuggets sure didn’t look very interested in winning after building what appeared to be an insurmountable 19-point halftime lead over their western conference counterparts on Monday night, blowing their huge lead en route to a disheartening 132-117 loss that was emotionally draining on the inconsistent Nuggets.
"We had a total meltdown," Iverson said. "They were better in the second half when it mattered."
The Suns, who won their third consecutive game while snapping the Nuggets’ five-game winning streak, got spectacular games from power forward Amare Stoudemire who scored 41 points and pulled down 14 rebounds and point guard Steve Nash, who added 36 points and eight assists.
"At halftime, we came together and said, 'Let's fight for it,'" Stoudemire said. "We dug in in the second half."
The victory helped Phoenix pull into a tie for first place in the Pacific Division with the Los Angeles Lakers while helping them get within one game of New Orleans and San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference.
The costly loss dropped the Nuggets one-half game behind the Warriors and one full game behind the Mavericks, for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
The win also helped the Suns reach the 50-win mark for the fourth consecutive season.
"I am proud of them just coming out with defense and offense together in the second half," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It was pretty potent."
The Suns have won eight of their last ten games overall while going a respectable 6-3-1 against the spread over the same span.
The Nuggets are 7-3 in their last ten games both straight up and against the spread.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Picks.
The Suns are 6-0 ATS in their last six Tuesday games.
The Suns are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven vs. Western Conference.
The Nuggets are 9-1 ATS in their last ten games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
The Nuggets are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games as a favorite.
The Over is 4-0 in Suns last four games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 4-0 in Nuggets last four vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
The Home team is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings.
Analysis: After getting blown out on the road by the Suns just last night, there is no way I can say the deflated Nuggets will cover the spread in this important rematch in the second half of their home-and-home series with Phoenix. Take the Suns to win outright and win big against the defenseless Nuggets.
NBA Free Picks: Suns -5½ Points/Under 235½ Total Points
09:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Phoenix Suns +5½ -110
Denver Nuggets -5½ -110
Over 235½ -110
Under 235½ -110
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