Suns vs Nuggets Game 4 Preview: Suns look to finish business in Denver

What: Phoenix Suns (3-0) @ Denver Nuggets (0-3)

When: 5:00 p.m. AZ Time

Where: Ball Arena

Watch: TNT

Listen: 98.7 FM

What a magical playoff run we’re watching, am I right? The Suns have won their last six games and they’re up 3-0 over the Nuggets this series with a +18.3 point differential. With all due respect to Denver, this Phoenix ball club has made it look easy this round.

The Denver crowd was mostly quiet in Game 3 as their team was down early and couldn’t claw back.

However, the Nuggets won’t be looking to get swept on their home court and the Suns will have to come out ready and composed, ensuring this deal is sealed and they close this out.

Probable Starting Lineups

Suns: Chris Paul - Devin Booker - Mikal Bridges - Jae Crowder - Deandre Ayton

Nuggets: Facu Campazzo - Austin Rivers - Aaron Gordon - Michael Porter, Jr. - Nikola Jokic

Out/Injured

Phoenix: Abdel Nader (Out - Knee)

Denver: P.J. Dozier (Out - Adductor)

Keys to the Game

Limit Offensive Boards

In Game 3, the Nuggets had 18 offensive rebounds. Had Denver shot better than 41.1% from the field, the score could have been much different than it was. There is absolutely no way that Phoenix should allow that many O boards. It’s unacceptable and it could have hurt them. This team has a lot of hustle, energy and determination. Some of it needs to be focused on that end. If they get more defensive rebounds and limit second chances for their competition, good things happen.

Don’t Let Nikola Jokic Get Help

The Joker is going to get his, as clearly shown in the first match in Denver. There’s a reason why he was named MVP and that’s because he deserved it. Ayton and the other Suns defenders played him very well and forced him to miss 16 shots. However, he still put up 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. That’s a monster line.

His help was not around, though, as his two starting forwards (Gordon and MPJ) were a combined 7-23 from the field and his two starting guards (Facu and Rivers) had a total 11 points with ZERO assists. Again, Jokic will show up but if the Suns’ defensive players keep his assistance in check he won’t be able to beat Phoenix on his own.

Stay Composed

As much as the Suns are ready to look beyond this round and think about what’s next, they need to finish the job. This series isn’t over yet. Yes, the team with the 3-0 advantage is 142-0 in NBA history but Phoenix wants to make sure that becomes 143-0. They have this in the bag but there’s one more win needed before they can start focusing on the Jazz or Clippers.

Projection

The Suns will finish the Nuggets and get the clean sweep.

Phoenix 112 - Denver 102