What rank the Suns and OKC in scoring and defense?
The Suns are 3rd in scoring with 115.2 ppg, 11th in rebounds with 45.2 per game, and 3rd in AST/TO ratio with 2.1. On defense they rank 9th while holding opponents to 107 ppg. OKC is 30th in scoring with 103.9 ppg, 6th in rebounds with 45.8 per game, and 29th in AST/TO ratio with 1.6.
Are the Houston Rockets worse than the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Technically the Houston Rockets are worse than the Oklahoma City Thunder, but in a random 2 game way. The Phoenix Suns have run roughshod over everyone in the league. The Suns tied and are in the process with 5 games left of setting a new franchise, all-time, record for wins. The Suns are 7.5 games better than the NBA’s second winningest team.
Are the Suns a better team than the Thunder?
But the Suns are a different beast that is much healthier than the Thunder. Considering how shorthanded the Thunder are and are playing on a second straight night on the road, I just have a hard time seeing them keeping this game as close as the previous meeting went. Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
What rank the Suns in the NBA in scoring?
The Suns are 3rd in scoring with 115.2 ppg, 11th in rebounds with 45.2 per game, and 3rd in AST/TO ratio with 2.1. On defense they rank 9th while holding opponents to 107 ppg.
Money line
PASS on the money line. The Suns will get right in this game, even without two starters from the frontcourt. The Thunder are shorthanded as well, as both teams are dealing with players testing positive for COVID-19.
Against the spread
The Thunder’s loss Tuesday ended a streak of six consecutive games covering the spread. OKC is 21-12 ATS on the season. The Thunder covered the spread in their loss to the Suns last week.
Sports Chat Place: Take the Thunder with the points vs. Suns
Peter Tran writes: “The Thunder have come to life after struggling for most of the season, so they will be quietly confident coming into this one. The Suns have been the benchmark of the league since opening night and they look even better with Booker now back in the lineup.
Winners and Whiners: Suns will cover vs. Thunder
It writes: “The Suns are looking very much like a favorite for winning the NBA Finals and while a double-digit favorite is quite a bit in the NBA, it makes sense for this matchup.
Picks and Parlays: Suns 121, Thunders 108
Cameron Ross writes: “The Suns are the best team in the NBA and will continue their tear on Thursday night. Look for Phoenix to really dominate the Thunder with the 3rd best offense in the league to run the score up.
Doc’s Sports: Take Suns to cover vs. Thunder
Tony Sink writes: “The Phoenix defense gives up 33.3% on shots from distance (342 of 1,027) and their opposition makes 73.6% of their shots from the free throw line. They have allowed 22.3 assists and 45.8 boards on a nightly basis, which has them ranked 6th and 20th in basketball.
ATS.IO: Go with Suns to cover vs. Thunder
Vincent Senick writes: “Last time out, Oklahoma City hosted the Denver Nuggets and came away with a 108-94 win. The Thunder used big first and third quarters to get the 14-point win. SGA exploded for 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. Six Thunder players, including all five starters, reached double figure scoring.
Dimers: Suns 114, Thunder 101
It writes: “Dimers.com’s predicted final score for Oklahoma City vs. Phoenix at Footprint Center on Thursday has the Suns winning 114-101.”
Tony’s Picks: Suns 121, Thunder 108
It writes: “The NBA pick is the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns have been impeccable as a team with 25 wins. The team has been playing great offense which will pose a huge challenge for Oklahoma. The Thunder will put up a fight which will bring in the numbers on Thursday’s game.
Winners and Whiners: Take the Thunder with the points vs. Suns
Mark Ruelle writes: “First things first, Phoenix should win this game. I do, however, think this is too large a line to cover at the moment as the Suns adjust to life without Paul for a long stretch. Payne is just returning to action after a long layoff himself, so he will be rusty and working out things himself.
Picks and Parlays: Suns 115, Thunder 100
It writes: “The All-Star break was a good break for these teams. However, the Suns are going to be without Chris Paul which will hurt the offense to a point, but still the Suns are coming in with the better overall talent depth and with Booker he should be able to step up and fill the void from Paul’s passing.
Sports Chat Place: Suns will cover vs. Thunder
Peter Tran writes: “The Suns are going to be shorthanded in this one as Cameron Payne and Frank Kaminsky are both still out while Chris Paul is expected to miss at least six weeks due to a fracture of his right thumb.
Odds Shark: Suns 119.5, Thunder 103.5
The site predicts that Phoenix will win, cover the spread and has the total going over.
Stat Salt: Go with Suns to cover vs. Thunder
Jason Raffoul writes: “The Suns were dealt a devastating blow, losing point guard Chris Paul for 6-8 weeks after he fractured his thumb. Devin Booker figures to shoulder more of a playmaking role without Paul, so expect a tick-up from his 4.5 assists per game as he becomes more of a distributor.
Thunder at Suns notable injuries
Thunder: Darius Bazley, Tre Mann, Aleksej Pokusevski, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Josh Giddey, Derrick Favors are all out due to health and safety protocols.
Advice and prediction
The Thunder played valiantly against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday as it took the Kings all four quarters to win. But the Suns are a different beast that is much healthier than the Thunder.
