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The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns are set to clash on Monday night, with both teams looking to gain ground in the competitive Western Conference standings. While the Nuggets hold a slight edge in the season series with a 14-11 record, the Suns aren't far behind at 14-13, setting the stage for an intense battle.
Offense has been a strong suit for the Nuggets this season, averaging a robust 119.4 points per game. However, their defense has been more exploitable, allowing 116.9 points on average. The Suns, on the other hand, have been a bit more balanced, scoring 114.3 points while conceding 115.1 points per contest.
Recent form could play a crucial role in this matchup. The Nuggets have been firing on all cylinders over their last five games, posting a 3-2 record while scoring 125.6 points and shooting an impressive 54.1 percent from the field. Their three-point shooting has been a shade below their season average at 35.9 percent, but they've made up for it by grabbing nearly 50 rebounds and dishing out 34.6 assists per game.
The Suns, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistency, going 2-3 in their last five outings. While their scoring average of 119.2 points is impressive, their defense has been suspect, allowing 120.6 points per game. They've shot the ball well from deep at 42.4 percent, but their overall field goal percentage of 50.9 percent is only slightly better than their season mark.
Both teams will be looking to tighten up their defenses and take care of the ball, as turnovers have been an issue for each squad recently. The Nuggets have coughed up the ball 16 times per game over their last five, while the Suns have been just a touch better at 14.4 turnovers. Whichever team can protect the ball and get stops could gain a crucial advantage in this Western Conference showdown.