Game 2. Nuggets VS Suns. Jokic VS Ayton. Campazzo VS Paul. MPJ VS Booker.
Prediction:
Suns 115
Nuggets 111
After watching game one of this series, I couldn't believe how well the Suns played when Chris Paul got going. When Chris Paul (21-6-11) got going in the second half, the Suns were able to rip off a 34-9 run to end up blowing the Nuggets out by 17.
Up until that point however, the game was intense and close. Without that spark of pure genius from Paul and the shooting touch of Bridges down the stretch (23 points on 50% 3-pt shooting), the game likely ends by a possession or two.
These two teams made it this far in the playoffs for a reason. MVP Jokic and the Nuggets won't be getting swept and I don't expect any of the remaining games to end by double digits.
With that being said, I still think that the Suns should pull out the win tonight in a back and forth high scoring thriller. Both teams have played fantastic games on the offensive end, both averaging well over 110 points in their last three (the Suns doing that against a beat up Lakers team, but a team that was nonetheless in the upper echelon of defensive rating).
With the O/U at 224.5 it seems that Vegas is looking at a similar score prediction, I no longer bet... But if I did, that over would look pretty tempting.
I expect the Nuggets to cover the 5.5 point spread due to the fact that the game should be back and forth. Campazzo and Jokic look solid together even in the absence of Murray. If the Nuggets are to pull this cover off, they will need one of MPJ's good nights, something that is not always a guarantee.
Time will tell, but I think we could see a fantastic game tonight on TNT. I'll be here looking to interact with game reactions along the way!
