NBA Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Phoenix Suns will go for their fourth straight win at home when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday night. Phoenix beat the Thunder 113-110 back on Dec. 19, despite being shorthanded.
Our NBA spreads for tonight have the Thunder favored by 2-points over the Suns with the total set at 216.5.
Oklahoma City comes into the game off an impressive 104-93 win over the Hornets on Wednesday, while the Suns won their third straight with an easy 92-77 win over the Bucks.
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The key for the Thunder may be as simple as get the ball in the hands of Kevin Durant, who had 43 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in his last game against the Hornets. Durant has scored 40 or more in three of his last four games, and is averaging just over 40 a game during that stretch.
Jeff Green added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Russell Westbrook helped out with 10 points and eight assists, despite only playing 27 minutes because of foul trouble.
Durant had just 28 points in the loss to the Suns earlier this season, and you have to think that defeat isn’t sitting to well with Oklahoma City. Phoenix beat them on their home court, without Marcin Gortat, Vince Carter, and Mickael Pietrus, who had all just been acquired the previous day.
Grant Hill had arguably his best game of the season with 30 points and 1a rebounds, while Steve Nash added 20 points and 10 assists.
Robin Lopez also played a big role in that game with 19 points, but his playing time has been dramatically reduced of late due to the play of Gortat. While Lopez continues to start, Gortat continues to get the majority of the minutes coming off the bench, and its hard to argue. Over the last four games Gortat is averaging 19.8 points and 11.5 rebounds.
Gortat has also helped the Suns play a lot better on the defensive side of the ball. While Phoenix still allows an average of 106.3, they are giving up just 83.3 over their last three games. Keeping the Thunder in check, figures to be a challenge. Oklahoma City is averaging 107.6 over their last five games.
I think the oddsmakers are spot on with who they have favored in this one, and I think you have to take the Thunder to also cover the spread. Oklahoma City will be looking for revenge and are playing with a ton of confidence right now.
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