Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder betting tips and predictions for Friday’s NBA game on ESPN. The Suns are hoping to get back to winning ways as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first of 4 meetings this season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Phoenix Suns
Suns fans will have to wait a little bit longer than they expected to see their big mid-season acquisition to make his debut. Kevin Durant has been ruled out of tonight’s game as he still recovers from his MCL injury sustained while playing for the Nets. The team announced he is recovering according to plan, but he isn’t expected to make his debut until some time next week.
Adding him to the mix will be huge, this team has started to play really well lately, over their last 15 games they are 11-4 SU, while also covering the spread 10 times during that run. They’ve beaten tonight’s opponent the Thunder in 5 of the last 6 meetings by a double-digit margin in 4 of those wins. The depth has taken a hit after the trade for KD, but there is a solid chance Cameron Payne could return here, so that will be another boost for the offense as he plays behind Chris Paul.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder suffered a heartbreaking loss last night in Salt Lake City as the Utah Jazz beat them 120-119 in overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did his best to carry the offense with 39 points, but it wasn’t enough as Lauri Markkanen dropped 43 on them. The loss drops the Thunder outside of the playoff picture in the West, they are now 11th, but it’s a tight race from the 6th seed all the way to the Lakers who are in 13th, so nothing is lost just yet.
It’ll be a tough task tonight in Phoenix, they’ve gotten just 1 win out of their last 5 visits to Footprint Center and with last night’s game going into overtime there could be some fatigue concerns. In 2nd night’s of a back-to-back OKC has gone 3-4 SU in 7 played, they open as 7.5 point underdogs.
The Suns has a solid 7 days of rest, but now it’s time to get serious. On paper they are a way more talented squad than Oklahoma City, factor in also the fatigue from last night’s game and I think the Suns take care of business by double digits here. Back Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions & Odds
We’ve seen teams take a step back from playing defense when they’re in a back-to-back situation, this could very well happen with the Thunder tonight as they’ve had some catastrophic defensive performances this season. Although they rank 11th in defensive efficiency, that stat is very deceiving. They’ve allowed 129 or more points 3 times in their last 6 games, a team as good as the Suns offense should take full advantage of their flaws.
Phoenix is averaging 115.1 points per game in the last 10 meetings, I can see them going over 120 tonight fairly easily. The O/U numbers in those last 10 meetings are 6-4 in favor of the over, if we factor in pace of play from both teams I think we’re in for a high scoring game here. Back the points.
