The Denver Nuggets will try to secure the No. 1 seed against the host Phoenix Suns, who have suddenly emerged as the NBA’s hottest team, will be the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference on Thursday night.
When the teams finish their four-game season series, the Suns will try to extend their winning streak to seven games and stop the Nuggets from winning the championship.
The Phoenix Suns (44-35) are getting closer to securing the No. Because they have won four games by double digits, including two by 20 or more, they are a 4 seed in the West.
Phoenix has gotten comfortable with its with Kevin Durant at long last a steady individual from the beginning setup. Since Durant returned from his ankle injury, the Suns have won four of their last five games, going 7-0 when he played.
Durant scored 18 focuses in Tuesday’s 115-94 triumph over the meeting San Antonio Spurs in the wake of scoring 35 and 30 focuses over the past two games. Since Phoenix acquired him from Brooklyn Nets, he has averaged 25.6 points and shot 58.2% from the field.
Only Durant led the team in scoring against the Spurs. Chris Paul (22 points), Devin Booker (27 points), and Deandre Ayton (19 points) led the way.
Paul scored 20 points for the first time since Jan. 28 when he scored 31 points against the Spurs, when he shot 9 of 14 from the field, including 4 of 6 from three-point range.
Torrey Craig, the reserve, added 15 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season, connecting on 7 of 9 shots.
The Nuggets have won two of their previous three games against the Suns this season, but on March 31, they lost 100-93 in Phoenix.
Due to a calf injury, Denver star Nikola Jokic missed three games in a row, including that one.
Jokic got back to activity on Tuesday, yet the meeting Pieces were beat 124-103 by the modest Houston Rockets. In 25 minutes, Jokic scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
As well as assuming the disheartening misfortune, Denver likewise lost champion watchman Jamal Murray to a hyper-extended right thumb. Murray could be out for the remainder of the regular season. Similar to Jokic, who was placed back on the injury report due to his calf, he is listed as questionable for Thursday.
The Nuggets (52-27), who have a record of 6-8 over the past four weeks, haven’t played like a dominant team recently. After Houston’s defeat, coach Michael Malone was disturbed.
Jokic, who is vying for the NBA MVP title for the third time, was one of the culprits, turning the ball over eight times.
After taking a three-point lead at the half, the Nuggets were outscored 68-44 in the second half.
