The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs is wrapping up with intriguing series in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The second round begins in earnest on Saturday with Game 1 between the No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets and the No. 4 seed Phoenix Suns. The best-of-seven matchup is the first to begin in the conference semifinals, and Phoenix brings a star-studded group to the table to potentially offset the home-court advantage of Denver. On the other side, the Nuggets posted the best record in the Western Conference, with two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic in the center of the action. 

The Suns flamed out in the 2022 playoffs following a tremendous regular season, blowing up in a series loss to the Dallas Mavericks and failing to defend their Western Conference title from the previous campaign. Phoenix was playing at a solid level to begin the 2022-23 campaign, but the Suns elected to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire Kevin Durant, immediately raising the team's ceiling this season. Durant is flanked by Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton to form one of the NBA's best quartets. The Suns made quick work of the L.A. Clippers in round one, advancing in five games. 

Denver also needed just five games to close out the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round. The Nuggets won 53 games in the regular season, sitting atop the West as a result, and Denver dominated at home with a 34-7 mark at Ball Arena. That is a potentially critical advantage in a series built on small samples, and Denver has strong supporting pieces in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. to surround Jokic. Still, Jokic is the centerpiece of an elite offense, and Denver has similar challenges to Phoenix when it comes to depth. 

Below, we'll dive into the series from every angle, including a pick on the winner and a best bet on the series. As the series commences, the Suns are -130 favorites ($130 to win $100) at Caesars Sportsbook, with the Nuggets listed at +110 ($100 to win $110) to advance. Phoenix is +160 to win the Western Conference this season and +400 to win the 2023 NBA title. Denver is listed at +310 to win the West and +900 to win the championship.

Suns vs. Nuggets full series odds

• Series winner: Suns -130 | Nuggets +110
  
• Series handicap: Suns -1.5 games (+135) | Nuggets +1.5 games (-165)
• Series alternate handicap: Nuggets -1.5 games (+240) | Suns +1.5 games (-295)
• Total number of games: Six (+175) | Seven (+185) | Five (+300) | Four (+650)
• Exact finish: Suns in 6 (+300) | Nuggets in 7 (+350) | Suns in 7 (+500) | Nuggets in 6 (+650) | Nuggets in 5 (+650) | Suns in 5 (+750) | Suns in 4 (+1100) | Nuggets in 4 (+1600)

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