Oklahoma City at Phoenix
Time: 9 PM ET, Apr 6, 2014
Spread: OKC -3
M/L: OKC -150; PHO +130
Total: 212
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
The Phoenix Suns are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth best record in the Western Conference, but the Grizzlies hold a tiebreaker, rendering the Suns a game back from Memphis for the right to face San Antonio in the first round.
The Thunder are 55-20 and are three-point favorites according to NBA oddsmakers at Bovada as the team travels to take on Phoenix Sunday night.
The Suns have won seven of its past 10 games, but have a tough schedule to close out the season. The Suns face a tough Pelicans squad, the Spurs, Mavericks, Grizzlies and Kings. With matchups against the Mavs and Grizzlies, the fate can be decided potentially through winning both games.
Goran Dragic has made a strong case for the league’s Most Improved Award, with 20.4 points and 5.9 assists per game this season. He and Eric Bledsoe have formed a dynamic backcourt for the surprise Suns. The team has an array of capable scorers and is not short on shooters. Gerald Green has thrived in Phoenix and is averaging 15.7 points per game with an above-average PER of 16.3.
The Thunder played without Russell Westbrook Friday (Apr 4) night in Houston and lost 111-107. Kevin Durant was just 2-of-7 from the floor at the half and had four turnovers, but got it going in the second half to finish with 28. Chandler Parsons nearly matched him with 23, and James Harden shot 20 free throws and finished with 39 points.
The Thunder looked exposed, but without Westbrook it really isn’t fair to say that there was a good indicator of team strength in the game. The Rockets were also without Dwight Howard, Patrick Beverley, Omri Casspi and Greg Smith. Westrbook is questionable for tonight’s contest, as is Kendrick Perkins. Thabo Sefolosha is also out.
OKC Trends: UNDER 4-0 in last 4 following SU loss; 0-4 ATS in last 4 road games; UNDER 6-0 in last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in previous game.
PHO Trends: UNDER 4-0 in last 4 games on 1 days rest; UNDER 4-0 in last 4 games following SU win; UNDER 6-0 in last 6 following ATS win.
Head-to-head: Thunder 6-1 ATS in last 7 meetings in Phoenix; OVER 10-3 in last 13 meetings; Thunder 6-2 ATS in last 8 meetings.
