The reigning champion Denver Nuggets are rolling right now. Now 9-1 in their last 10 games, the Nuggets have a 45-20 record and are 0.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. As it stands, the Nuggets (+450) have the second-highest betting odds to win the NBA Finals this season. They are only trailing the league-leading Boston Celtics, who they are 2-0 against this season. Although they look virtually unbeatable right now, Nuggets shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope named the Phoenix Suns among Denver’s biggest threats in the Western Conference. Caldwell-Pope also mentioned the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Thunder as potential threats.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Reveals Denver Nuggets’ Biggest Threat
The Phoenix Suns Cannot Be Counted Out
Heading into the season, it seemed unlikely the Suns would be just the No. 6 seed with less than 20 games left on the schedule. However, that’s exactly where the team stands. Phoenix currently owns a 38-27 record and is 7.5 games back from the No. 1 seed. This is in large part, however, due to the constant injuries the team has to deal with.
This past offseason, the Suns acquired guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards. Next to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, expectations were that Beal would help the Suns get over the hump and bring a title to the franchise this season. However, as of March 12, the Suns trio have only appeared in 24 games together. That said, they have gone 15-9 in those games and all mesh well together. Additionally, the Suns and Nuggets have faced each other twice this season, each team winning a game to split the series so far. It’s clear that, when healthy, the Suns are a team that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Bradley Beal’s last 5 games:
24 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 3 STL | 53% FG
25 PTS | 4 REB | 1 AST | 3 STL | 50% FG
20 PTS | 2 REB | 8 AST | 1 STL | 50% FG
16 PTS | 6 REB | 6 AST | 2 STL | 44% FG
31 PTS | 4 REB | 6 AST | 1 BLK | 71% FG
pic.twitter.com/kRDQWesC2f— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) March 12, 2024
Phoenix Matches Up Well Against the Nuggets
Last postseason, the Suns and Nuggets met in the Western Conference Semifinals. En route to their first title win in franchise history, the Nuggets eliminated the Suns in six games. However, the Suns are a completely different team this time around. Despite the loss of Chris Paul, who the team dealt in the trade for Beal, the Suns have built a good team. Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen both joined the team via the three-team trade involving Damian Lillard going to the Milwaukee Bucks. Both of these players have had exceptional seasons and are great fits with the team. Additionally, the Suns also acquired Bol Bol, Royce O’Neale, and Thaddeus Young from the offseason onward.
It’s a safe bet to pick the Nuggets again if these two teams meet in the postseason. However, the Suns are good enough to upset the reigning champions. Phoenix has tons of explosive offensive power and is an above-average defensive team as well. If healthy, the Suns can make things difficult for the Nuggets.
The Last Word on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s Comments
Currently, it seems highly likely the Nuggets are making it to a second straight NBA Finals. However, when healthy, the Suns are one of the best teams in the league. If anybody in the Western Conference can knock Denver off, it may be the Suns.
