Feb 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) reacts after a basket in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Did you hear that line about the Phoenix Suns having a toxic locker room? That was reportedly the reason why the Suns have been underachievers this season.
On Friday, Grayson Allen knocked down two 3-pointers in the final 1.2 seconds of regulation and then another to start overtime in a 135-127 win over the visiting Utah Jazz. Allen scored again when asked what the locker room was like after the huge win: “It was a very happy locker room. It was not toxic at all.” Zing!
There isn’t much time for the Suns to rejoice as they host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. has become Allen Iverson over the past three games.
We’ll discuss that game and also Arizona’s revenge game with Texas Tech in college hoops and the NHL contest between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.
DENVER NUGGETS AT PHOENIX SUNS
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer is in charge of steering the Suns out of their slumber. Remember, Phoenix management blamed one-and-done coach Frank Vogel for last season’s first-round sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the coaching change was supposed to be for the better.
But the Suns sit one game above .500—they went 49-33 under Vogel. Now is the time for Devin Booker (season-high 47 points against Utah) and Kevin Durant (sat out the last two games with an ankle injury) to step it up. Phoenix split two December games with the Nuggets, but the question is how much energy they will have Saturday. Booker played 49 minutes on Friday.
Denver seldom has any chaos and has won five straight games and 13 of its past 17. Nikola Jokic again is a leading MVP candidate and Porter is averaging 35 points over the past three games. He is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, but someone that hot (17 of 29 from 3-point range the past three games) isn’t going to want to sit out.
Jamal Murray (knee) also is questionable and Russell Westbrook (hamstring) remains out, so it might be good timing to face the Nuggets. Then again, how tired is Booker? Will Durant play?
Nuggets -4, -110 (DraftKings)
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TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS AT ARIZONA WILDCATS
No. 20 Arizona is hot with five straight victories, and the success began after it got whipped 70-54 against Texas Tech on Jan. 18 in Lubbock. Arizona shot 31 percent from the field and was outrebounded 50-34.
Arizona responded impressively with one of the wins being an 86-75 home overtime victory over then-No. 3 Iowa State. Star guard Caleb Love, who had nine points on 3-of-13 against Texas Tech, has scored 18 or more points four times during the winning streak. A hot-shooting Love is what the Wildcats need in the rematch.
The No. 13 Red Raiders will arrive in Tucson with confidence as they have rattled off seven straight victories. One was an epic 82-81 overtime win over Houston to snap the Cougars’ 33-game home winning streak. They followed up with a 73-59 home win over Baylor on Tuesday.
JT Toppin excelled in the first meeting with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Another huge game, and Texas Tech can complete the sweep.
Arizona -2, -110 (DraftKings)
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LOS ANGELES KINGS AT ANAHEIM DUCKS
Though their arenas are just 43 miles apart, the gulf feels 10 times wider when you compare the hockey fortunes of the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks. The Freeway Face-Off feels less combative with the Ducks having failed to make the playoffs in six straight seasons.
The Kings have made three straight playoff appearances. Los Angeles doesn’t appear to be a serious Stanley Cup contender, but it does have a high chance of making the playoffs. The Kings are also 10-1-1 in their past dozen games against Anaheim.
Earlier this season, Los Angeles continued the dominance with home victories of 4-1 and 2-1. But now isn’t the ideal time to face the Ducks, as they are 5-1-0 over their past six games and haven’t played since Tuesday.
Then again, Los Angeles has won three straight and scored 15 goals during the span. Plus, it owns this series.
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