The 2024 NBA Christmas Day schedule wraps up with a Western Conference matchup between the Denver Nuggets (16-11) and the Phoenix Suns (14-14). The Nuggets have won five of their last six games, and Nikola Jokic is the front-runner to win this year's NBA MVP award. These teams played on Monday, Dec. 23 with Denver notching a 117-90 blowout win, and the Suns will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Jamal Murray (calf) is listed as a game-time decision for the Nuggets.
Tipoff is at 10:30 p.m. ET from the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Denver is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Nuggets vs. Suns odds, per SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points is 232.5. Before making any Suns vs. Nuggets picks or NBA Christmas bets, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 10 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 128-92 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Nuggets vs. Suns 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Suns vs. Nuggets:
- Nuggets vs. Suns spread: Nuggets -2.5
- Nuggets vs. Suns over/under: 232.5 points
- Nuggets vs. Suns money line: Denver -143, Phoenix +121
- DEN: The Nuggets are 11-15-1 against the spread
- PHX: The Suns are 9-19 against the spread
- Nuggets vs. Suns picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Nuggets vs. Suns streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Nuggets can cover
The Nuggets have been one of the top offensive teams in the NBA all season. Denver enters Wednesday averaging 119.8 points per game, and leads the league averaging 31.3 assists per game. The Nuggets were dominant on both ends in their win over the Suns on Monday.
Denver is paced by the NBA MVP front-runner in Jokic. The 29-year-old center is having one of the most dominant seasons in recent NBA history, and is on track to win his fourth Most Valuable Player award in the last five seasons. Jokic enters Wednesday averaging 30.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Suns can cover
The Suns remain one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NBA, and have been tough to beat at home at the Footprint Center. Phoenix averages 113.4 points per game, and is one of the most effective 3-point shooting teams in the NBA this season. The Suns are connecting on 38.4% of their shots from beyond the arc, and averaging 14.9 made 3-point shots per game.
Fourteen-time All-Star Kevin Durant is having another stellar season for the Suns. The 2014 NBA MVP enters Wednesday's matchup averaging 27.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Devin Booker has also performed well, with per game averages of 25.1 points and 6.7 assists, but he has been ruled out of this game due to an ankle injury. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Nuggets vs. Suns picks and NBA Christmas bets
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting 225 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks.
So who wins Nuggets vs. Suns on Christmas, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Suns vs. Nuggets spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.