New Look Nets Host Revamped Suns
The Phoenix Suns (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) pounded the young Portland Trailblazers in winning their last contest, 107-96 on Saturday in the BetUS Sportsbook. The New Jersey Nets (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS) were scorched by the high-scoring Golden State Warriors in their last outing, a 105-97 loss, also on Saturday.
With a new emphasis on defense, the revamped Suns will look to hand the Nets their second consecutive loss in tonight’s matchup.
Handicappers, hoops analysts and NBA sports betting buffs everywhere are keeping a keen eye on the Suns this season as they make their transition from a ‘run and gun’ team under former head coach Mike D’Antoni to a more traditional style under current head coach Terry Porter.
Phoenix is shooting a blistering 52.8 percent from the field on the young season and made 55.1 percent of its shots against Portland on Saturday in beating the Blazers 107-96. Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points in the win while Matt Barnes added 21 and two-time league MVP Steve Nash chipped in 20.
“I think we have good players and we are a good shooting team, so we should shoot a good percentage,” Nash said. “But we have to keep the turnovers down because that will kill us.”
While the Suns have revamped their playing style and altered its roster, the Nets have remade their roster even more dramatically, adding several new faces after moving former stars Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.
New Jersey is rebuilding around a young nucleus that features lightning quick point guard Devin Harris and gifted second-year forward Yi Jianlian, the No. 6 overall pick in last year’s draft and rookies Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts.
After winning their season opener over the beleaguered Washington Wizards, New Jersey couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors on Saturday.
“We just can’t coast through and unfortunately, that’s what we did in the third quarter,” said center Josh Boone. “We just kind of coasted on defense and they built on their lead.”
Veteran superstar Vince Carter led the team in scoring with 20 points on 7-for14 shooting and Boone added 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting while also pulling down 14 rebounds.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks:
The Suns are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 Tuesday games.
The Suns are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.
The Nets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.
The Nets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a S.U. loss.
The Over is 4-0 in Suns last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
The Over is 5-1 in Nets last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.
The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
The Home team is 12-3-1 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
The Favorite is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
NBA Odds
Phoenix Suns -5½ -110
New Jersey Nets +5½ -110
Over 203½ -110
Under 203½ -110
Analysis: This pick is fairly easy for BetUS NBA Sportsbook bettors as the Suns should handle the young Nets despite being on the road. Phoenix has a bit too much offensive firepower and a newfound commitment to defense that should will them to a straight up and ATS win tonight.
