This is a 10* GAME OF THE WEEK on the Denver Nuggets.

I was surprised that the Suns made it to the Finals last year. Can they do it again?

I'd say there's some room for regression for Phoenix this season, as a lot of things went right for it to advance as far as it did last year.

The Nuggets on the other hand got hit hard by the injury bug about two months before the end of the regular season and they simply couldn't make enought adjustments to compensate.

My early opinion going into this season is that Denver will return to prominence, and Phoenix is going to take a step back.

And much like the Warriors winning outright in LA against the Lakers last night, I truly think that the Nuggets have a genuine and realistic opportunity to do the same here in the Valley of the Sun.

The DeAndre Ayton contract issue is another off-court distraction as well for Phoenix coming into the season.

I say Phoenix comes out slow here, while I predict that Denver will be playing a chip on its shoulder right out of the gate.

The outright is possible, but grab the points.

The play is DENVER.

Good luck, NP