Phoenix-suns vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions February 8th 2025

Phoenix Seeks Back-to-Back Statement Wins

The Phoenix Suns have been labeled underachievers this season, and a recent report suggested internal discord in their locker room. But if there’s truth to those claims, Grayson Allen and the Suns didn’t get the memo.

On Friday night, Phoenix pulled off one of its most dramatic wins of the season, rallying late to defeat the Utah Jazz 135-127 in overtime. Allen was the hero, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers in the final 1.2 seconds of regulation to force overtime before opening the extra period with another triple.

His clutch shooting helped the Suns snap a three-game losing streak, and in the postgame locker room, he laughed off the rumors of tension within the team.

“It was a very happy locker room. It was not toxic at all,” Allen said, drawing laughs from reporters. “It was a big one for us. I felt we really connected late in that game.”

Head coach Mike Budenholzer was just as dismissive of the report, calling it “not true” and praising his team’s commitment.

“Making it through a season and all the things that come with that are never easy,” Budenholzer said. “So it’s not like this has been a perfect or an easy ride, but I think the guys’ willingness to learn and grow is good. So that’s what I see.”

Now, the Suns will attempt to build on that momentum as they host the Denver Nuggets, one of the Western Conference’s most dominant teams, on Saturday night.

Booker Shines, Suns Await Durant’s Return

Phoenix was without Kevin Durant (ankle) and Bradley Beal (toe) on Friday, but Devin Booker more than made up for their absence with a season-high 47 points and 11 assists in 49 minutes. Allen added 21 points, all from deep, draining seven three-pointers.

Durant, who has missed the last two games, remains 26 points away from becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points. Whether he returns Saturday or not, his looming milestone adds another layer of intrigue to Phoenix’s upcoming games.

Denver Riding Five-Game Winning Streak

While the Suns were fending off doubts, the Nuggets were solidifying their status as title contenders. Denver has won five straight games and 13 of its past 17, looking every bit like the team that won the 2023 NBA Finals.

Unlike many teams that made trade deadline moves, Denver stood pat, keeping its championship core intact.

“Now that the deadline’s over, I can take a deep breath and just focus on the task at hand, which is trying to close out these games prior to the (All-Star) break,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Still, Malone isn’t satisfied just yet, as injuries continue to be a concern.

“Obviously, far from being where we want to be, but guys throughout the season, different guys have stepped up and shown what they’re capable of,” Malone said. “Our greatest challenge moving forward… is trying to get healthy.”

The Nuggets will once again be without Russell Westbrook (hamstring), while Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) are questionable. Aaron Gordon (calf) is listed as probable.

Porter’s Scorching Hot Streak a Key Factor

Denver is hoping to have Porter in the lineup, as he has been on an absolute tear. Over his last three games, he is averaging 35 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 63.9% from the field and 58.6% from beyond the arc.

Before this run, Porter hadn’t scored 30 points in a game all season. He shattered that with 36 points against the New Orleans Pelicans, followed it up with 39 in a rematch, and then dropped 30 in Thursday’s 112-90 blowout win over the Orlando Magic.

Meanwhile, Nikola Jokić continues to dominate, recording his 24th triple-double of the season with 28 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in the victory over Orlando.

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Season Series Tied, High-Stakes Battle Ahead

This will be the third meeting between the Suns and Nuggets this season, with each team winning once. Denver cruised to a 117-90 home victory on Dec. 23, while Phoenix responded with a 110-100 win on Christmas night.

Saturday’s game presents an opportunity for the Suns to prove their resilience, shake off external distractions, and show that they are still a legitimate contender in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Denver will look to extend its winning streak and continue asserting itself as one of the NBA’s elite teams.

With Booker playing at an elite level, Durant nearing history, and the Nuggets firing on all cylinders, this matchup has all the makings of a must-watch showdown.