Denver @ Phoenix picks

Kevin Durant has been called for 3.0 personal fouls per game over the last 5 games, 0.8 more than he's been called for over the course of the year. The matchup against the Nuggets is a challenging one for 3-pointers; the other team's starting PFs have totaled the 15th-least three-point shots per game in the NBA this year (1.3). The Phoenix Suns have played at the 9th-least up-tempo pace-of-play in the league this year. The Nuggets have played at the 4th-most lethargic pace in the NBA over the last 25 games, which ought to reduce possessions for the Suns. On the road, the Nuggets have allowed the 4th-most offensive rebounds per game (11.9) in the NBA to the other team over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore lead to new chances for scoring and assists).

Cameron Payne has converted 39.1% of his attempts from downtown while playing at home this year, putting him in the 77th percentile out of all players in the league. The Phoenix Suns check in as the 7th-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore produce new chances for scoring and assists). Cameron Payne has sunk 100.0% of his free throws over the last 5 games, 21.7% higher than he's put through the net overall this year. Cameron Payne will have the home court advantage in this matchup. Playing in your home city generally improves stat production for all stats.

The Denver Nuggets check in as the 5th-lowest scoring offense in the league over the last 10 games while playing away from home. The matchup against the Suns is a difficult one for shots from the field; the other team's starting Cs have shot for the 14th-lowest FG% in the NBA this year (54.5%). The Denver Nuggets have played at the 4th-most lethargic pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 25 games. The Suns have played at the 9th-most sluggish pace in the NBA this year, which should decrease opportunities for the Nuggets. With the home court advantage, the Suns have given up the most offensive rebounds per game (13.1) in the league to their opposition over the last 10 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore create new opportunities for scoring and assists).

Devin Booker has been called for 3.0 personal fouls per game this year, making him one of the most highest-fouling players in the NBA (94th percentile). The matchup against the Nuggets is a hard one for 3-pointers; the opposing team's starting SGs have tallied the 15th-least shots from downtown per game in the league this year (1.8). The Phoenix Suns have played at the 9th-least up-tempo pace-of-play in the league this year. The Nuggets have played at the 4th-most lethargic pace in the NBA over the last 25 games, which ought to reduce possessions for the Suns. On the road, the Nuggets have allowed the 4th-most offensive rebounds per game (11.9) in the NBA to the other team over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore lead to new chances for scoring and assists).

The matchup vs. the Nuggets is a tough one for attempts from downtown; opposing teams have averaged the least 3-point attempts per game in the league over the last 5 games (29.8). The Phoenix Suns check in as the 7th-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore produce new chances for scoring and assists). Landry Shamet has successfully made 100.0% of his free throws over the last 10 games, 13.5% more than he's sunk overall this year. The matchup against the Nuggets may be a hard one for getting to the free throw line; opposing clubs have attempted a mere 21.2 foul shots per game over the last 25 games when the Nuggets are on the road (least in the NBA). Landry Shamet will have the benefit of the home court advantage in this contest. Playing at home usually raises stat production in all stat categories.

Aaron Gordon has made 56.6% of his shot attempts from the field this year, ranking in the 89th percentile among all players in the NBA. Aaron Gordon has tallied 38.2 minutes per game over the last 5 games, 8.0 more than he's tallied in all games this year. The Denver Nuggets have been the 7th-best offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 5 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide new chances for scoring and assists). Aaron Gordon has attempted 4.5 foul shots per game this season, quite a bit more than his 3.2 rate last season. The matchup against Phoenix may be a favorable one for getting to the free throw line; the other team's starting PFs have attempted an enormous 5.7 free throws per game over the last 10 games when the Suns are playing at home (29th-most in the NBA).

The matchup against Denver is a favorable one for 3-pointers; when the Nuggets are the visiting squad, opposing starting Cs have shot for the 26th-highest three percentage in the NBA this year (38.6%). The Phoenix Suns check in as the 7th-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore produce new chances for scoring and assists). Deandre Ayton has successfully made 84.6% of his foul shots over the last 15 games at home, 9.1% more than he's sunk in all games this season at home. Deandre Ayton will receive the benefit of the home court advantage in this matchup. Playing in your home city generally boosts player production for all stats.