Phoenix Suns play host to Denver Nuggets on Saturday with the playoff places on the line: NBA Preview
With the playoff positions at stake, Denver Nuggets will face off against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ on Saturday.
As the current seedings stand, Nuggets are on the number 7 spot and will be looking to clinch a berth in the post season with a win and will remain in 7th place. On the other hand, a win for the Suns would mean that
they would move closer to securing a position in the playoffs.
Suns are currently tied for the number 8th spot with the Utah Jazz and if both these teams are able to win their next matchups, they would have all to play for as the Suns go up against Jazz on Tuesday. The Suns claim
to a playoff berth is therefore still in their hands and would be secured only if they are able to win their next two games.
With only three games remaining in the season, this could mean that the Nuggets and the Suns are in for a barnburner of an end. Phoenix will be looking to avoid back to back seasons of missing on the playoffs while on the other
hand, Denver haven’t missed out on the post season action since 2003.
In the previous meetings between the two teams, Denver holds an upper hand as they have won all five of those matchups, even though the previous four out of the five have been played in Denver`s home.
Denver also hold the edge from their last visit to the Airways Center as they ran riot over the Suns with a score of 116-97, which saw an end to the Nugget`s 12 game losing streak in Phoenix.
However things are expected to be a little different, this time around as the Suns have been on a spectacular run since the All-Star break.
Phoenix are 12-3 at home in the latter half of the season. They have played 12 games in the month of April and have only lost four of them and most importantly they are only getting better, playing fearless basketball along the
way.
Their performances have been so spectacular off late that they have defeated the both teams from Los Angeles, both of whom are bound to be in the playoffs. In their last outing on Thursday Phoenix defeated the resurgent Clippers
93-90.
On the other hand for a Denver side it would be a tough end to the season as they have to play three of their last four matches, away from home. Also the Nuggets come into the game having lost in their last outing, incidentally
against the Clippers on Wednesday night.
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