Nuggets vs. Suns: Preview, key matchups, tip time and more

The Phoenix Suns (3-4) will look to get back to their winning ways by returning home to U.S. Airways Center on Monday night to take on the Denver Nuggets (4-3) . The Nuggets are just 2-3 on the road this season, but come into this game on a four game winning streak.

The Nuggets have the caliber of players that are able to put points on the board in a hurry. They feature one of the most athletic lineups in the league including Andre Iguodala, Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried and backup center JaVale McGee.

The Suns will need to try and contain what I believe to not only be one of the most athletic teams in the league, but one of the deepest benches in the league. Wilson Chandler is currently listed as day-to-day as the team's backup shooting guard/small forward, but second year man Jordan Hamilton figures to see an increase in minutes because of that. The team also brings McGee and, if needed, Timofey Mozgov off the bench for excellent depth at the big man spots.

Keeping Lawson out of the paint will be huge for the Suns. He has the kind of rare athleticism and ball handling skills that force defenders to collapse, opening up the outside for shooters. Not allowing the athletic Nuggest to feast on bad turnovers will also be important. They don't shoot particularly well from beyond the arc (currently about 29% on the season), so forcing them to take contested jumpshots should help Phoenix.

Goran Dragic vs. Ty Lawson is the key matchup to watch for in this game. Whichever player can keep their opponent from driving in the paint and force the other into turnovers should help their team to a victory.

Here are the projected lineups:

Suns

G Goran Dragic

G Jared Dudley

F Michael Beasley

F Luis Scola

C Marcin Gortat

Nuggets

G Ty Lawson

G Andre Iguodala

F Danilo Gallinari

F Kenneth Faried

C Kosta Koufos

The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 PM MST/9 PM EST. The game will be broadcast on NBA League Pass for the national audience. You can also find it on FOX Sports Arizona in the Phoenix area or listen to it on Arizona Sports 620 AM. If you live in the Denver area, tune into Altitude (ASE) or listen to your local KKFN station.