Game 5 was a convincing 118-102 victory for the Nuggets, making five out of five for home teams in this series and providing a 3-2 series lead. The Suns will hope that trend continues, otherwise, their season comes to an end on Thursday night.

The NBA odds have the Suns as -3.0 favourites to extend the series to a seventh and deciding game. The total is 226.0.

Nuggets vs. Suns NBA Playoffs Betting Odds

Spreads have been as straightforward as they come in this series. When the Nuggets have won the game, they also covered, just as the Suns have covered whenever they’ve walked off the court as winners.

So far, the two games in Arizona have seen the over connect, whereas the under earned the spoils in two of the three games in Colorado.

Concerning news out of the Suns’ camp is that Deandre Ayton is listed as Day-to-Day, although one can make the case he hasn’t made a huge impact in this series. Chris Paul remains Out.

Denver remains as healthy as they’ve been in these playoffs, which is very.

Denver Nuggets

The question now is whether the Nuggets can win one game in Phoenix. A similar query will be asked of the Suns should they travel back to Denver for a Game 7. For now, Mike Malone’s ensemble heads to the desert after a terrific performance in Game 5 and a chance to wrap the series up.

One wonders what Suns owner Mat Ishbia thought of Tuesday night’s events. Prior to tip-off, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic made amends for his rash behaviour on the sideline during the previous contest, then proceeded to earn a triple-double. 29 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists made for an inspiring performance that helped pave the way to a 118-102 victory. What was equally impressive was how Denver didn’t sag when the going got tough. They led by 11 after the opening quarter, then allowed the Suns to fight back in the second, but put their stamp on the game after halftime.

Shooting 48.1 per cent from beyond the arc helped greatly, which again goes to show how big three-point shots are. They lost Game 4 despite dominating the paint and won Game 5 even though that battle went their way by a slim 50-44 margin. Michael Porter Jr. continues to perform at a high level from distance, going 5-for-8. Bruce Brown, although a -2, gave 25 points off the bench. That is a big difference in these games. The benches are playing great basketball at home, but not away.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns let another opportunity slip through their fingers. It’s one thing to defend home court, which they’ve already done twice in this series. It’s another to take advantage of one’s chance on the road when they present themselves.

Just like in Game 2, Game 5 offered an opening for Phoenix. The hosts took the initiative in the opening 12 minutes, but Monty Williams’ side fought back hard in the next period. In fact, the Suns won that quarter 25-17 and made Denver look rather pedestrian, not to mention make it a three-point game at the break. But then the momentum completely vanished in the third, as Denver smashed Phoenix 39-25. Devin Booker was good, scoring 29 points, but it says something about this team that the instant Booker doesn’t play an insane game, the team loses.

Kevin Durant simply can’t find a rhythm – 26 points (not bad) but 10-for-24 shooting. Either he’s not on his game or Denver has found a way to make him uncomfortable. Ayton was a -21. While the team will surely and understandably sing his praises and wish he were available, he has not performed well in this series.

Game 6 Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Suns?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Nuggets Team Leaders

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.49
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.83
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.84
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 76.5
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.47
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.75

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.75
Assists	Chris Paul 8.88
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 9.96
FG%	Deandre Ayton 58.9
Steals	Chris Paul 1.54
Blocks	Bismack Biyombo 1.44

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 30
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.5
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.45
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 66.7
Steals	Jamal Murray 1.5
Blocks	Nikola Jokic 1

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 33.73
Assists	Chris Paul 7.43
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 9.7
FG%	Jock Landale 63
Steals	Devin Booker 1.73
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.36

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Suns Team Leaders

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.49
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.83
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.84
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 76.5
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.47
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.75

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.75
Assists	Chris Paul 8.88
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 9.96
FG%	Deandre Ayton 58.9
Steals	Chris Paul 1.54
Blocks	Bismack Biyombo 1.44

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 30
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.5
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.45
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 66.7
Steals	Jamal Murray 1.5
Blocks	Nikola Jokic 1

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 33.73
Assists	Chris Paul 7.43
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 9.7
FG%	Jock Landale 63
Steals	Devin Booker 1.73
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.36

Injuries

Denver

Jamal Murray (SG)

Ques Fri Hand - 08 / 06 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Tues Illness - 15 / 05 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Thurs Illness - 11 / 05 / 23

Aaron Gordon (PF)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 23

Jeff Green (SF)

Prob Sun Face - 09 / 04 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Sun Thumb - 09 / 04 / 23

Michael Porter Jr. (PF)

Prob Sun Heel - 09 / 04 / 23

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Sun Illness - 09 / 04 / 23

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Prob Sun Back - 09 / 04 / 23

Michael Porter Jr. (PF)

Prob Sat Heel - 07 / 04 / 23

Phoenix

Deandre Ayton (C)

Out Thurs Ribs - 10 / 05 / 23

Chris Paul (PG)

Out Thurs Groin - 02 / 05 / 23

Chris Paul (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23

Deandre Ayton (C)

Out Sun Rest - 08 / 04 / 23

Bismack Biyombo (C)

Prob Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Devin Booker (SG)

Out Sun Rest - 08 / 04 / 23

Cameron Payne (PG)

Prob Tues Back - 08 / 04 / 23

Kevin Durant (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23

Deandre Ayton (C)

Ques Sun Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Devin Booker (SG)

Ques Sun Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Injuries

Denver

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jamal Murray (SG)	Ques Fri	Hand - 08 / 06 / 23	2-1	1-2	+ -
Murray is dealing with a left hand abrasion, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 15 / 05 / 23	6-3	3-6	+ -
Murray is managing an illness, but it is expected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals versus the Lakers.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Thurs	Illness - 11 / 05 / 23	7-3	3-7	+ -
Murray is nursing an illness, but it is forecasted that he will be available for Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Suns.
Aaron Gordon (PF)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Gordon is dealing with right shoulder inflammation, but it is projected that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Jeff Green (SF)	Prob Sun	Face - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Green is hampered by a facial contusion, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Murray is tending to a right thumb sprain, but it is not expected to affect his availability against the Timberwolves for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)	Prob Sun	Heel - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Porter is managing a left heel injury, but it is anticipated that he will take to the court versus the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Sun	Illness - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is ailing from a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that the symptoms will subside in time for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Prob Sun	Back - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Jackson is hampered by lower back pain, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Kings on Sunday.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)	Prob Sat	Heel - 07 / 04 / 23	14-9	11-11-1	+ -
Porter Jr. is hindered by a heel ailment, but he is expected to take the court against the Jazz on Saturday.

Phoenix

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Deandre Ayton (C)	Out Thurs	Ribs - 10 / 05 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Ayton is nursing a rib contusion, and he will not face the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Chris Paul (PG)	Out Thurs	Groin - 02 / 05 / 23	2-3	3-2	+ -
Paul is hobbled by a left groin strain, and he will not partake in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Nuggets.
Chris Paul (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 23	5-7	8-3-1	+ -
Paul will sit out for Sunday's showdown with the Clippers for rest purposes.
Deandre Ayton (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 08 / 04 / 23	5-8	9-3-1	+ -
Ayton is taking a day of rest and will not be available Sunday versus the Clippers.
Bismack Biyombo (C)	Prob Sun	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	5-8	9-3-1	+ -
Biyombo is managing a right knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Devin Booker (SG)	Out Sun	Rest - 08 / 04 / 23	5-8	9-3-1	+ -
Booker will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Sunday as he will be taking a day of rest.
Cameron Payne (PG)	Prob Tues	Back - 08 / 04 / 23	5-8	9-3-1	+ -
Payne has been idle with lower-back soreness, but it is anticipated that he will return to the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference against the Clippers.
Kevin Durant (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23	5-8	9-3-1	+ -
Durant is tending to an ankle injury, but it is anticipated that he will participate versus the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Deandre Ayton (C)	Ques Sun	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	6-8	9-4-1	+ -
Ayton missed the last game as he was given a day of rest, and it is uncertain if he will play versus the Clippers on Sunday.
Devin Booker (SG)	Ques Sun	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	6-8	9-4-1	+ -
Booker missed the last contest as he was given a day of rest, and it is undetermined if he will suit up on Sunday against the Clippers.