Phoenix at Golden State
Time: 9 PM ET, Mar 9, 2014
Spread: GSW -7.5
Total: 212
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
Golden State and Phoenix are closely tied in the Western Conference standings, as the Warriors lead Phoenix by two games for the sixth spot in the West. The Warriors are 19-10 at Oracle Arena this year where it will host the Suns in a game NBA oddsmakers are favoring the Warriors by 7.5 points.
The Warriors have won three straight contests and defeated the Hawks 111-97 on Friday night (Mar 7) behind 18 points from forward David Lee. Lee and Andrew Bogut have been strong on the interior and the Warriors rank 3rd in the NBA in rebounds per game (45.7).
The Warriors’ defense is much improved this season and is the 7th stingiest defense in the NBA, surrendering 98.6 points per game. The offense is balanced but most of the scoring comes from the backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The tandem combines to average 41.4 points per game and Curry has a PER of 23.3.
Phoenix is 36-25 and has been a pleasant surprise this season. Shooting guard Eric Bledsoe is due back soon, which will give the Suns its full complement of talent coming into the playoffs. Goran Dragic has been brilliant with Bledsoe on the shelf, averaging over 23 points per game over his past 10 games.
The Suns rank 6th in the NBA in scoring (105.5) points per game, but would have liked to add a tough interior player and rebounder at the trade deadline. Phoenix has most of its talent on the perimeter, particularly with big men like Channing Frye and the Morris brothers, who are stretch-4s.
PHO Trends: UNDER 9-1 in last 10 road games vs teams with home winning percentage greater than .600; UNDER 7-1 in last 8 after scoring more than 125 points in previous game; 7-1 ATS in last 8 Sunday games.
GSW Trends: UNDER 6-0-1 in last 7 games following SU win; 3-0-1 ATS in last 4 vs teams with winning road records; 5-0-1 ATS in last 6 home games.
Head-to-head: Suns 0-4 ATS in last 4 meetings in Golden State; OVER 10-4 in last 14 meetings in Golden State.
