The Suns have a varied history as they advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Phoenix Suns clinched a spot in the Western Conference semifinals for the third consecutive year by defeating the L.A. Clippers 136-130 in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
The Phoenix team’s victory in the series finale solidified a 4-1 overall win, propelling them to face top-seeded Denver in the highly anticipated second round. Fans in Arizona are eagerly placing their NBA bets on this exciting matchup.
The Suns and Nuggets will meet in the postseason for the fifth time, with their second Western Conference semifinals matchup. Phoenix previously swept Denver in this round two years ago.
It seems that Arizona sports betting operators are showing strong support for the Phoenix Suns, who currently have the second-best championship odds at +400 (Boston leads with +240). The Suns also have the highest Western Conference title futures at +145.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona, Phoenix is the favorite to win the Suns-Nuggets series with a -135 moneyline, while Denver is the underdog with a +115 moneyline.
History of the Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals
- During the 1969-70 season, we suffered a defeat at the hands of the Lakers after a seven-game series.
- During the 1975-76 season, we emerged victorious over the Super Sonics in a six-game series.
- They only needed five games to defeat the Kings in the 1978-79 season.
- The Lakers beat them in five games during the 1979-80 season.
- During the 1980-81 season, the team lost to the Kings in a seven-game series.
- During the 1981-82 season, we lost to the Lakers in a four-game series.
- In the 1983-84 season, they triumphed over the Jazz in six games.
- In the 1988-89 season, we emerged victorious over the Warriors in a five-game series.
- They only needed 5 games to defeat the Lakers in the 1989-90 season.
- The Trail Blazers defeated us in five games during the 1991-92 season.
- They emerged victorious over the Spurs in a 7-game series during the 1992-93 season.
- During the 1993-94 season, we lost to the Rockets in a 7-game series.
- The team was defeated by the Rockets in a seven-game series during the 1994-95 season.
- During the 1999-2000 season, the Lakers defeated them in five games.
- During the 2004-05 season, they emerged victorious over the Mavericks in a six-game series.
- During the 2005-06 season, they emerged victorious over the Clippers in an exciting 7-game series.
- During the 2006-07 season, the team lost to the Spurs in a seven-game series.
- In the 2009-10 season, they won all four games against the Spurs.
- In the 2020-21 season, the team swept the Nuggets in four games.
- During the 2021-22 season, we lost to the Mavericks in a seven-game series.
- Total: 10-10
History of Playoffs between Suns and Nuggets
- During the 1981-82 season, we advanced to the next round by winning three games.
- During the 1982-83 season, we were knocked out in the opening round following a three-game losing streak.
- We won the first round of the 1988-89 season in just three games.
- They clinched victory in only four games during the 2020-21 WC Semifinals.
- Total: 3-1
Suns seeking redemption after disappointing performance last year
Almost a year has passed since the Suns blew a 2-0 series lead against the Dallas Mavericks and ended up losing in seven games.
Phoenix took a commanding 3-2 series lead with a resounding 110-80 win in Game 5 at home, but then faltered in the last two games, losing by a combined 60 points.
This year, Phoenix will begin the second round as the lower-seeded team, meaning the Suns must showcase their skills in Denver before returning to their home court for Games 3, 4, and potentially Game 6.
Phoenix swept both the Nuggets in 2021 and the Spurs in 2010 in their last two second-round series. However, the ongoing series against Denver is anticipated to present a tougher challenge for the team.
The Suns and Nuggets split their four-game regular season series, with Phoenix winning every game that Kevin Durant played in.
Durant, the former league MVP, is anticipated to make a major impact on this year’s game, as he has been averaging 28.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in the Clippers’ series.
If Durant and Devin Booker can maintain their impressive scoring averages of 37.2 points per game, the Suns are well-positioned to potentially secure the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023.
Result of the Suns vs. Nuggets Regular Season game in 2023.
- A heartbreaking overtime defeat on Christmas Day, with a final score of 128-125.
- On January 11th, the team experienced a 126-97 loss.
- Win on March 31 with a score of 100-93.
- On April 6, a victory was achieved with a final score of 119-115.
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Peterson Christopher has over seven years of experience covering sports and sports betting in Arizona. He has held positions at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News before becoming the lead writer at yengols.com.
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