The Phoenix Suns host the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 matchup at the Footprint Center on Thursday night.
Injury Update for Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets
This series, like the regular-season series, has been dominated by the home team, and it will be interesting to see if that continues.
Both sides have also looked fantastic in their victories, making predicting the outcome of this one even more difficult.
The Nuggets have won five games in nine matchups this season, but the club with the most wins will advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Fans will undoubtedly be tuned in on Thursday night, especially with so much at stake and so much unknown.
Phoenix, like their opponent in this game, has dominated opponents at home this season, and they know they need one more win at home to keep their season alive.
Their home record isn’t quite as good as Denver’s this season, but at 32-14, they should be confident coming into Thursday night.
The Suns continue to rely heavily on one of the league’s finest scoring tandems. Devin Booker (35.9 ppg) and Kevin Durant (29.6 ppg) have been dominant, particularly at home, and the Suns will be aiming to push for 70 or 80 combined points once more.
Their two victories over Denver were by single digits, and confidence may be low following their loss in Denver last week.
Phoenix will be concerned about their lack of depth and a significant injury, but with their superstars dominating, they may have enough, paired with home-court advantage, to force a game seven.
Chris Paul (groin) is out in this one heading into Thursday night. He hasn’t played in the previous several games of this series, and his absence has been felt on both sides of the floor.
It will be fascinating to see if he is willing to sit out another game in a vital game six matchup.
The lack of depth is a significant issue, particularly in light of Paul’s injury and DeAndre Ayton’s recent troubles, and while it hasn’t come back to haunt them at home yet in this series, Thursday may be the day.
With a defense that ranks in the top ten in the league in a number of categories and an offense that is starting to find its groove, the Suns will be confident in their chances of picking up another home victory.
- Read also: The Latest Injury Reports Suns’ Chris Paul
Denver has been strong at home in the NBA Playoffs, but things have altered radically on the road.
They appear to be lacking the intensity that they have at home, and it has become evident that the road may come back to bother them in the postseason.
They had a losing record on the road this season, 20-25, despite having one of the greatest home records in the league.
Despite their road troubles, the Nuggets have a good chance of remaining competitive as long as Nikola Jokic (30.6 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 9.5 apg) continues to suit up.
Jokic has dominated and controlled the offense, but he will require assistance in this one, especially given how effective Phoenix has been on offense.
Denver will have to rely heavily on their depth in this one, and while their offense has been difficult to stop, their defense will have to be strong on Thursday night.
The good news is that Denver has a looming home game in game seven to bank on, but they’ll do everything they can to avoid that possibility.
Denver’s ability to stay healthy has been critical to their postseason success, especially given their reliance on depth.
Collin Gillespie (leg) is sidelined until the middle of the month, although given his lack of playing time prior to the injury, his absence should be minimal.
