The Denver Nuggets have returned state side and after some rest following their international travel, they’re ready to dial it back up with another exhibition contest. On the docket is the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix was ballyhooed as one of the Western Conference contenders when they acquired Kevin Durant at the trade deadline in 2023. They doubled down on the star approach by trading for Bradley Beal later that Summer. So far the strategy has yet to yield results. Phoenix has not returned to the Finals after making it there in 2021 despite the additions. Still, they remain a talented and dangerous team who will be a good match for Denver tonight.
The Basics
Who: Denver Nuggets (0-2) vs Phoenix Suns (2-1)
When: 6:30 PM MDT
Where: The Can. Denver, CO.
How to watch/listen: ESPN. 92.5 FM Altitude Radio. Show up at Ball Arena, claim to be the Altitude+ technician and tell security you just forgot to plug in a couple of cables. Sail the high seas.
Rival Blog: Bright Side of the Sun
The Three Things
The thing to watch for: depth rotation
Where will Jalen Pickett vs Trey Alexander land tonight? Is Vlatko Cancar still the go to guy at the backup 4? Will Zeke Nnaji get any burn? The very back end of Denver’s rotation seems like the only thing left to figure out despite the preseason not even being half over. I’m hoping to see some more opportunities for Alexander in particular as he built on a great Summer League with a pair of solid performances in Abu Dhabi.
The thing to remember: starter minutes
Coach Malone indicated during practice this week that the starting group may get a longer burn than what we saw in Abu Dhabi. Preseason basketball is a bit different than preseason football in that there isn’t that one game that’s a clear dress rehearsal but tonight’s a game may be the closest thing we get to it. If you’re looking for an idea of how the rotation will look come opening night then pay close attention to this game.
The thing to bet: Nuggets over 50.5 wins
As I said in the last preview (and in every preseason game) betting on the preseason is a fool’s errand. So let’s use this space to talk about my favorite season long bet which is hammering the over on Nuggets wins which currently sits at 50.5. Denver won 57 last season. I don’t know about you but I don’t think that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was worth seven wins on his own.
