The Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Sunday in NBA Game 1 at the Paycom Center. Here’s a Thunder vs. Suns Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Suns Pick.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
The Phoenix Suns recently lost to the Trail Blazers and beat the Warriors. The Suns have lost 11 of their last 18 games.
The Phoenix Suns are averaging 114 points on 45.5 percent shooting and allowing 112.5 points on 47 percent shooting. Devin Booker is averaging 26.1 points and 3.9 rebounds, while Dillon Brooks is averaging 20.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. Jaylen Green is the third double-digit scorer, and Grayson Allen is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Phoenix Suns are shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 78.1 percent from the free throw line. The Phoenix Suns are allowing 34.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.6 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder recently lost to the Nuggets and Suns. The Thunder have won 24 of their last 29 games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 120.5 points on 48.4 percent shooting and allowing 109.2 points on 43.7 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points and 6.6 assists, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds. Jalen Williams is the third double-digit scorer, and Ajay Mitchell is grabbing 3.3 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 81.7 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 36.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.7 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Suns have lost each of their last 13 road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Thunder have won each of their last nine games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine playoff games as underdogs.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six playoff games at Paycom Center following a loss.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The underdogs have won three of the Suns’ last four games.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last three playoff games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in four of the Suns’ last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Suns’ last six road games against the Thunder following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Thunder’s last nine games as home favorites against the Suns have gone OVER the total points line.
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.
- Jordan Goodwin ranks 5th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.4) 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 Injury Report
The Thunder will be without Thomas Sorber.
Grayson Allen and Mark Williams are questionable for the Suns.
Thunder vs Suns Prediction
On paper the Thunder should blow the doors off, as they’re at home with the rest advantage. However, we know the drill with OKC. These aren’t the same cash cows from past years. The Thunder are 39-42-1 ATS on the season.
Since January 23, the Thunder are 6-9 ATS as a double-digit favorite. Three of those failed covers were outright losses. Since January, the Suns have outright won two of the three games against the Thunder. Also, we’ve seen teams get hot and stay hot out of nowhere, so I’m not that concerned about the Suns having to play two games just to get here. Sometimes a rhythm is a good thing. Either way, I’m grabbing the points with the Suns. The Thunder don’t cash in enough tickets to get this sort of respect.