What: Phoenix Suns (1-1) @ Denver Nuggets (0-2)
When: 6:00 PM AZ Time
Where: Ball Arena – Denver, Colorado
View: NBA League license
Listen: 98.7 FM
Line: PHX -6.0
Over/Under: 216.5
Denver Prediction: The Nuggets aim to get their first preseason win over the Suns
The Phoenix Suns will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Monday night at the Ball Arena as they look to improve to 2-1 in the preseason.
They will be missing quite a few key members, as over half of the second unit will be out along with Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder of course.
Landry Shamet (left hamstring strain), Cam Payne (sprained right thumb), Cam Johnson (sprained right thumb) and Dario Saric (personal reasons) are all out for tomorrow’s preseason game in Denver. Josh Okogie (left hamstring strain) is doubtful. Jae Crowder is still not with the team.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) October 9, 2022
Denver is also desperate, as it will likely be without MVP Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as they recover from injuries. Nuggets coach Mike Malone said they are “doubtful” to take the court against the Suns tonight.
Below is the full latest injury report from each team.
Phoenix
- Landry Shamet (OUT)
- Cam Payne (OUT)
- Cam Johnson (OUT)
- Dario Saric (OUT)
- Josh Okogie (doubtful)
- Jae Crowder (Not with team)
Denver
- Nikola Jokic (Doubtful)
- Jamal Murray (doubtful)
Designed beginners
Phoenix Suns
- Chris Paul
- Devin Booker
- Bridges of Mikal
- Torrey Craig
- Deandre Ayton
Denver Nuggets
- Bones Hyland
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Aaron Gordon
- Zeke Nnaji
Things to see
The first thing I’m looking at is how the Suns decide to use him Deandre Ayton. I would really like to see more attempts at self-creation and dribbling from the big man. The preseason is the time to experiment, even if it’s ugly or you fail, it’s worth taking those reps in game situations.
Along with Ayton experimenting, Bridges of Mikal it would be ideal to get more involved if you’re going to use him as a holdover in a pick or give him isolation situations to create.
Contains bones. Denver will be without Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, so that leaves the keys to the offense to Hyland’s Bones the hands. Bones is someone who can turn it on in a hurry, so the Suns defense will have to be connected to him and Michael Porter Jr. specifically.
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Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The bench unit is depleted with Payne, Shamet, Crowder and Saric out, and when you consider that Cam Johnson will also miss the game, it shows that the Suns’ depth will be tested.
I expect to see a lot of Duane Washington Jr., Frank Jackson, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Ish Wainright. Veterans Torrey Craig, Damion Lee, Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale will also be counted on to eat up minutes as they will likely look to keep the starters on the court count.
Duane Washington Jr. is the player I’m most excited to see in a (hopefully) expanded role. He had a rough shooting night against the Lakers the other night, but I expect a game tonight from him if he gets the chance.
prediction
Suns at 4
Sun with 4.
Let’s hope everyone stays healthy and gets some useful reps.
