The Phoenix Suns play host to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night in a game six showdown from the Footprint Center. This series, as well as the regular-season series, has been dominated by the home teams, and it'll be interesting to see if that's the case in this one. Both teams have also looked amazing in their wins, which makes predicting a result in this one even more difficult. In nine meetings this series, the Nuggets have won five games, though the first to six wins will be the team that finds itself in the Western Conference Finals. Fans will certainly be locked into this one on Thursday night, especially with so much at stake and so much unknown.
Denver has been dominant in the NBA Playoffs at home but as soon as they hit the road, things have drastically changed. They seem to lack the intensity that they carry at home and it has been clear that the road could be what comes back to haunt them in the postseason. They have a losing record in road games this season, sitting at 20-25, which is in stark contrast to one of the best home records in the league. Denver will need to lean heavily on their depth in this one and while the offense has been difficult to slow down, their defense is the area that needs to be stout on Thursday night. The good news is that Denver has a pending home game in game seven to lean into but they'll want to do everything in their power to avoid that potential.
Denver's ability to stay healthy has been instrumental in their postseason success, especially as they rely on their depth. Collin Gillespie (leg) remains out through the middle of the month but given his lack of playing time even prior to the injury, his absence should continue to not be impactful.
The first Nuggets player to earn All-NBA team honors in five straight seasons ?? pic.twitter.com/jYWHyyGv7w
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 10, 2023
As long as Nikola Jokic (30.6 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 9.5 apg) continues to suit up, the Nuggets have a great chance to remain competitive, even despite their road struggles. Jokic has dominated and controlled the offense but will need help in this one, especially given how efficient Phoenix has been on the offensive end. The Nuggets have five double-figure scorers this postseason, with a sixth just behind, and they'll need all of them to contribute in this one. Denver ranked eighth in the league in scoring defense during the season, including third in three-point defense, both numbers which they will need to improve on Thursday if they want to clinch the series.