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

I say the pressure is on the Suns here. D'Andre Ayton played extremely well in the first round, but now the Suns big man has to face likely the league MVP in Nikola Jokic.

I think that Denver has the perimeter defenders to get into Devin Bookers and Chris Paul's faces much more effectively than what the thin Lakers did.

Denver is a deep and experienced team. The loss of Jamal Murray really hurts right now, as the Nuggets would likely have been the favorite in the post-season if he was. But the strength of Denver here is its depth, and experience.

And Jokic. He's an X-Factor that the Suns and Ayton don't have an answer for.

I say this game comes right down to the wire. Whichever of these talented and hungry teams has its hands on the ball last is going to be the winner in Game 1.

And in a scenario like that, I'm always grabbing the points.

The play is DENVER.

Good luck, NP