Phoenix @ Denver preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 28, 2017 ) Denver 123, Phoenix 112

The Denver Nuggets look to break out of a mini-funk when they attempt to defeat the visiting Phoenix Suns on Wednesday for the seventh straight time. Denver allowed an average of 117.5 points while losing its last two games and aims to figure out a way to slow down Suns star guard Devin Booker.

Booker scored 34 points as Phoenix finished strong to post a 104-103 home win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. The Suns trailed by 10 points with less than 2 1/2 minutes to play before using a resounding 15-4 run to claim their sixth victory in the past nine games. Denver's recent defensive breakdowns were surprising as it followed a stretch in which the club gave up an average of 83 points during a three-game winning streak that included holding the Golden State Warriors to 81 points. "I'm sure fatigue has played a factor and we'll be smart as to how we prepare for our next game against Phoenix," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE SUNS (15-24): Booker and small forward TJ Warren (31 points on 15-of-21 shooting) combined for 65 points against the Hawks and both player are riding hot streaks. Booker is averaging 31 points in four games since returning from a groin injury while Warren is averaging 28.3 points on 38-of-59 shooting over the past three contests. "We played bad (Tuesday), but that (comeback) says a lot about a young team," Booker said after the win over Atlanta. "To be able to play bad like that, come back and get a win down late, that's big."

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (19-17): Malone detected that too many of his players were tired during Saturday's 107-102 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in a contest in which his team blew a 13-point lead. So Malone believes the ensuing rest was good for his team and he also said he will extend the rotation to get more minutes for the bench players. "I have to find ways to trust our bench, play more guys, so I don't run our players into the ground," Malone told reporters. "It's a long year, there's a lot of basketball left. And I don't want seven or eight guys in that locker room saying, 'Man, those guys are so tired but he doesn't trust any of us.' That's bad for morale."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Nuggets were 4-0 against the Suns last season, including victories by 16 and 11 points.

2. Phoenix PF Marquese Chriss recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds against Atlanta for his first double-double of the season.

3. Denver SG Jamal Murray scored 31 points against Philadelphia and is averaging 24.7 points over the past three games.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 118, Suns 111