Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Game 5 Prediction and Odds: 2023 NBA Playoffs

UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly

If you want to watch the best offense in the NBA playoffs, you have to watch the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns face off in a pivotal Game 5. Devin Booker and Nikola Jokic are doing historical things, and with the series tied 2-2, this could be the game of the week.

Prediction 1

Denver Nuggets -5.5

10/11 (-110)

BET HERE >

Odds from

Prediction 2

Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 Rebounds

50/71 (-142)

BET HERE >

Odds from

These odds from William Hill were correct at the time of writing.

Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns – Game Predictions

Contents

1 Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns – Game Predictions
- 1.1 Prediction 1: Denver Nuggets to Cover the Spread (-5.5)
- 1.2 Prediction 2: Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 Rebounds
2 Nuggets vs Suns Preview – Who Cools Down First?
3 Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Game Details

The Nuggets are a 5.5-point home favorite with a total of 227.5 points. In NBA playoff series where the home team wins the first four games, the home team is also 62-23 (.729) in Game 5.

Prediction 1: Denver Nuggets to Cover the Spread (-5.5)

It is hard to believe Denver went 0-2 in Phoenix with Jokic averaging 41.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 14.0 assists. Denver covers 61% of the time as a home favorite this year. Phoenix is 9-14-1 ATS (39.1%) as a road underdog. Denver is 18-13 ATS (58.1%) after a loss, the 4th-best record in the NBA this year. Trust that ridiculous field goal percentage for Devin Booker to drop on the road, and the Suns are still a top-heavy team. Denver’s role players should shoot better at home, and Jamal Murray’s 3-point game is way better at home. Take the Nuggets to get back on track with a big win here.

Prediction 2: Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 Rebounds

Jokic tied his season low with just 4 rebounds in Game 4, a peculiar twist after logging 16, 17, and 19 rebounds in the first three games this series. He also had 15 and 18 rebounds in the two regular-season meetings with Phoenix. Look for Jokic to return to a more normal role in Game 5 at home, turning down some of the scoring to be a rebounder and facilitator. He should hit his over in rebounds again.

Nuggets vs Suns Preview – Who Cools Down First?

There have been some phenomenal offensive performances in this series so far, but the team that gets more contributions from the role players should win the series, which is now a best-of-3.

Denver Nuggets News, Injuries, and Starting Lineups

The best news is Jokic will not be suspended for Game 5 following his entertaining scuffle with Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia, who instigated the incident. Jokic will be fined $25,000, but he is good to go for this one. We will see if Michael Porter Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, or Jamal Murray can start hitting 3s again at home to give Jokic help after he scored 53 points, the fourth most in a loss in NBA playoff history.

Denver Nuggets Injury Report:

No injuries to report ahead of Game 5.

Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup:

Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic.

Phoenix Suns News, Injuries, and Starting Lineups

Chris Paul remains out with his groin injury, so Cameron Payne will start for a third game in a row. Payne is only averaging 6.0 points and 5.0 assists in these two starts, so there is a lot of pressure on Booker and Durant to deliver. But Booker has been incredible in the playoffs with 36.8 points, 7.4 assists, 61.7% from the field, and 51.0% from 3. No one else has posted such numbers over any 9-game span in NBA history, regular season or postseason. This is why you get concerned about Booker having a cold game, because it has been such a two-player effort with Booker and Durant just for Phoenix to win two games at home in this series.

Phoenix Suns Injury Report:

Chris Paul (groin) is out for Game 5.

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup:

Cameron Payne, Devin Booker, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, and Deandre Ayton.

Nuggets vs Suns Head to Head Record In 2023

The season series is tied at 4-4 now, but that does include a 4-2 record for Denver when Jokic is active. The Nuggets were able to win by double digits at home in this series while Phoenix won both of its games by single digits.