NBA Betting: Suns looking to shine without top Players
The NBA is entering its stretch run and the games are becoming more meaningful for teams as they try to secure playoff spots. This Tuesday we have a big game in the Western Conference that pairs two teams with big hopes when Amare Stoudamire and the Suns travel to Oklahoma City to take on Kevin Durant and the Thunder.
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Phoenix Suns (34-23, 6th in Western Conference) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (33-21, 5th in Western Conference)
Sportsbook
Spread: Thunder -6.5
Over/Under: 204
Money Line: Thunder -275, Suns + 235
Why the Suns will win
This may be the last chance for the Suns with this roster to make a run in the playoffs. Amare Stoudamire was not traded at the deadline and may become a free agent this offseason. He does have a player option for 17.7 million so he might stay another season. Either way, the Suns are old and don’t have enough talent to be a playoff team for much longer. PG Steve Nash has continued his hall of fame play this year at the age of 36. That age has caught up to him on defense and he is likely out of Tuesday’s game with back and abdominal issues. Without Nash, expect Amare to take over more and Grant Hill to exert himself more offensively. The Suns can score with the best of them, but that might take a dip without Nash. Still if the opposing team can’t hit their shots, the Suns will run them off the court.
Why the Thunder will win
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the revelation of the season. The team is extremely young and very talented and is only going to get better. A big reason for the success is the play of Kevin Durant. Durant is in his third year out of Texas and has been arguably one of the top few players in the league this year averaging 29.8 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. On top of that, KD has scored 25 or more points in 26 straight games and has unrivaled length and range and is unlike any player this league has ever seen. Durant’s star has just begun to shine.
PG Russell Westbrook has also been a force for the Thunder with 16.4 points 7.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds a game. With F Jeff Green and G James Harden have also shown the stuff that would make you believe they will be stars in this league as well. The Thunder has won nine straight and are a scary matchup for anyone come playoff time.
Who will win?
Without Steve Nash, the Suns will have a harder time scoring than usual. They are an experienced group and shoot the rock very well. Amare Stoudamire should be able to best Jeff Green down low, but without Nash the Suns will be up against it. Expect lower scoring than usually would be the case for a Suns game and an easy victory for the young Thunder as they get their win streak to 10.
Sports Betting Tips: Final: Thunder 106 – Suns 93. Take the Thunder and the under.
