Suns vs. Warriors: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Suns vs. Warriors Odds
| Suns Odds | +12 |
| Warriors Odds | -12 |
| Over/Under | 231 |
| Date | Tue, Jan. 10 |
| Time | 10:00 p.m. |
| TV | TNT |
Tonight, the injury-depleted Phoenix Suns will travel to the Chase Center to battle the Golden State Warriors. Ahead of tip-off, Devin Booker, Cameron Payne, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul have each been ruled out for Phoenix. The Suns have also listed Landry Shamet as questionable. Conversely, Stephen Curry is expected to return to the floor for the Warriors for the first time in nearly a month. As a result, oddsmakers have Golden State heavily favored in this matchup, pricing them as 12-point home favorites on the spread.
Phoenix Suns
Missing Devin Booker
Since Devin Booker last played a full game on December 17, the Suns are 2-9 overall, ranking 27th in Net Rating – having been outscored by 5.1 points per 100 possessions. In that span, the team ranks 28th in offensive efficiency and 18th in defensive efficiency as they continue to struggle on both ends of the floor.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Phoenix is scoring only 105.4 points per 100 possessions this year when Booker, Chris Paul, and Cameron Payne are off of the floor at the same time, which ranks in only the 4th percentile. Facing a Golden State defense that is getting healthier by the day, the Suns are likely to find it difficult to put the ball in the basket once again.
Who will step up for Phoenix?
Per CourtIQ, Landry Shamet is averaging 20.6 points per 36 minutes when Booker, Paul, and Payne are on the sidelines. Yet, with Shamet listed as questionable, it remains to be seen whether or not he will be on the floor to take advantage of the extra shot attempts. Duane Washington Jr. could also have an expanded role this evening, though he has openly admitted that it has been difficult for him to learn the point guard position. Washington Jr. has shown high-end potential in spurts, but late-game turnovers and a lack of experience managing games makes him a less than ideal option as a high usage floor general at this point in his career.
Golden State Warriors
Chef Curry returning to the kitchen
According to Anthony Slater, Stephen Curry was upgraded to probable for tonight’s contest after completing two practice sessions, ending his 11-game absence from the team. Per Cleaning the Glass, Golden State ranks in the 94th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 64th percentile in defensive efficiency with Curry on the floor this year, compared to the 10th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 37th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines. His return will be a major boon to this team.
Dominant at home
In Golden State’s last 12 home games with Curry in uniform, the team is 11-1, with their lone loss coming to the Indiana Pacers on a night in which Curry shot a dismal 3-for-17 from the floor. Facing a Phoenix defense that is currently decimated by injuries, the Dubs are positioned to have a strong performance in front of their home fans.
Suns vs. Warriors – Picks & Predictions
The Golden State Warriors are exponentially better offensively when Stephen Curry is on the floor, but they also improve defensively in these situations as well. The Phoenix Suns could end up missing six of their seven leading scorers this year by the time tip-off rolls around, depending on how the final injury report looks. Even if Golden State has a masterful night on the offensive end of the floor, it is doubtful that Phoenix will be able to score enough for this game to reach the 230s in total points – take the under.
PICK: Under 231 (-110, Caesars)
Image Credit: Imagn