Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns – The Warriors and Suns face off on Tuesday night in a matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions. The Warriors have won two of their last five while the Suns have dropped four of five. Both teams feature superstar players capable of taking over a game in Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. This should make for an exciting matchup with plenty of scoring. This game is particularly interesting for fans and top online betting in Canada, as it features two closely matched teams with strong rosters.
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET
Location: Footprint Center
TV: TNT
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds
Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
Warriors | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Suns | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Golden State Warriors Analysis
The Warriors enter this game playing inconsistent basketball over their last five contests, going 2-3 over that stretch. The offense has still been clicking, averaging 115.5 points per game on the season behind a dynamic attack led by Stephen Curry. Curry is putting up MVP-level numbers, averaging career highs in points (29.4), rebounds (5.1) and shooting efficiency (48% FG, 40% 3PT). His limitless range and shot-making allow the Warriors to stay competitive and strike quickly.
The supporting cast around Curry provides plenty of additional firepower. Klay Thompson is still working back to form but is a threat to catch fire from three at any moment. Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole and others give Golden State multiple options to keep pace with Phoenix’s elite offense.
Defensively is where the Warriors have struggled recently. On the year, they are giving up 113.6 points per game. But over their last five contests, opponents have really exposed some weaknesses, averaging 118.4 points per game against them over that stretch. The Suns offense should be able to take advantage of slow rotations and exploit poor communication to get clean looks. If Golden State is going to get a much-needed win, they’ll need to tighten things up on the less glamorous end while still maintaining enough scoring punch. Easier said than done against the lethal Durant-led offense.
Phoenix Suns Analysis
Despite their recent slide, the Suns still own one of the NBA’s most efficient offenses. They average 115.1 points per game on the year, good for 6th best in the league. The engine that drives everything is Kevin Durant, who has been sensational in his first season with Phoenix while making them look smart for the blockbuster offseason trade with Brooklyn.
Durant is averaging 31 points per game to lead the Suns while shooting extremely efficiently (55% FG, 37% 3PT, 93% FT). His versatility as a scorer – able to attack the rim, pull up from mid-range, or spot up from three – makes him essentially unguardable at times. And that’s before factoring in underrated playmaking ability, averaging nearly 6 assists per game.
Where Phoenix has struggled is on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve allowed opponents to score 117.2 points per game over their last five contests. For the season, teams are shooting 47.3% from the field and 36.9% from three against them – both bottom third marks league-wide. If they can’t get stops, even Durant’s elite production may not be enough. The Warriors provide a tough matchup with Curry on fire right now. But playing at home, if Booker and the rest of the Suns provide enough secondary scoring to complement KD, Phoenix can still win shootouts.
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Against The Spread
The Warriors boast an improved record against the spread in their last five games (4-1), suggesting more consistent performance in tight matches. Their 8-3 road record suggests their ability to perform under pressure away from home.
Conversely, the Suns have had difficulty against the spread lately with an 0-5 record over their last five games, though their home performance has been stronger as evidenced by 9 out of 11 OVER hits during that span.
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Free Pick
Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Phoenix Suns. The Suns’ home performance and Durant’s impressive season form tilt the balance in their favor.
Spread: Golden State Warriors. Given the Warriors’ strong performance against the spread, especially on the road, they are likely to cover.
Total: Over
Both teams have trends favoring high-scoring games, making the OVER a promising pick.
Predicted Score: Phoenix Suns 118, Golden State Warriors 114
In conclusion, while the matchup is closely contested, the Suns’ home advantage and Durant’s exceptional form make them the favorable pick on the moneyline. The Warriors, however, are likely to keep the game close, making them a solid choice against the spread. With both teams’ offensive strengths, betting on the OVER seems a reliable choice. These expert NBA picks consider recent performances, player stats, and betting trends, offering insightful guidance for those engaged in sports betting.