Denver hosts Phoenix in conference showdown

Phoenix Suns (29-33, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (40-22, third in the Western Conference)

Denver; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets host Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.

The Nuggets are 23-13 against Western Conference opponents. Denver is the NBA leader with 59.1 points in the paint. Jokic leads the Nuggets averaging 16.6.

The Suns are 19-21 in Western Conference play. Phoenix is sixth in the Western Conference scoring 113.8 points per game and is shooting 47.7%.

The Nuggets average 12.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer makes per game than the Suns give up (13.9). The Suns average 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than the Nuggets give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jokic is averaging 28.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.4 assists and 1.8 steals for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 27.2 points over the last 10 games.

Tyus Jones is shooting 44.6% and averaging 10.4 points for the Suns. Royce O'Neale is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 121.9 points, 47.8 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.7 points per game.

Suns: 3-7, averaging 116.8 points, 43.7 rebounds, 29.7 assists, 6.0 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.8 points.

INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: day to day (ankle), DaRon Holmes II: out for season (achilles), Julian Strawther: out (knee).

Suns: Bradley Beal: day to day (calf), Cody Martin: day to day (abdomen).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.