The Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder do battle in Game 2 at the Paycom Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Thunder vs. Suns Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Suns Pick.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
The Phoenix Suns will be hoping for a better effort after getting manhandled by the Thunder in a demoralizing 119-84 blowout defeat in Game 1 on Sunday. Devin Booker led the team in scoring with 23 points on eight of 17 shooting; Dillon Brooks added 18 points while Jalen Green chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Suns shot just 35 percent from the field and 13 of 39 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and immediately fell into a double digit deficit and things only got worse as the game wore on with the Suns getting outscored in every quarter. Oso Ighodaro played 26 minutes but finished scoreless on zero of three shots from the field while no bench player scored more than nine points.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder must be feeling pretty good after taking down the Suns in a dominant win in Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 25 points and seven assists on five of 18 shooting; Jalen Williams added 22 points with seven rebounds and six assists on nine of 15 shooting, while Chet Holmgren tallied 16 points with seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. As a team, the Thunder shot 45 percent from the field and 14 of 46 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 35 points in the first quarter to take a 19-point lead into halftime before they went on another run in the third quarter to put the game to bed early, which allowed them to pull their starters. The Thunder were terrific on defense as they forced the Suns into 17 turnovers and they won the rebounding battle by 54-45.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 17 games at Paycom Center following a home win.
- The Suns have lost each of their last 10 playoff games as underdogs.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 playoff games as underdogs.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in eight of their last nine playoff home games.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Thunder have lost three of their last four playoff games as favorites following a win.
- The Suns have won three of their last four games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Suns have covered the spread in eight of their last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four playoff games against Pacific Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Thunder’s last nine home games against the Suns following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Suns’ last four night games at Paycom Center has gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player in the league to have recorded 15+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.9) this season.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Devin Booker has scored 30+ points in three consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Royce O’Neale ranks 22nd amongst qualified players for 3P% (40.8%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.1).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (43.7%).
- The Suns have suffered the largest comeback loss when leading through Q3 this season—led by 18 points vs. the Hawks on November 16.
- The Suns rank 30th in the league for Q4 points per game this season (25.8).
Thunder vs Suns Prediction
The Suns could be short-handed once again with Jordan Goodwin, Grayson Allen and Mark Williams all listed as game-time decisions, while the Thunder have ruled out Thomas Sorborg. The Suns must be so disappointed with their lackluster effort in the series opener, but it was always going to be tough without a fully healthy squad. The Suns may be able to get some players back from injury, which would certainly help, but we’re talking about trying to beat the Thunder in their own building. The line is expectedly huge for Game 2 but it’s still not high enough to sway me from taking the Thunder at home. Maybe it won’t be such a blowout in this game, but I still think the Thunder get the win and cover with ease at home.