For the second time this week, the two teams with the best records in the NBA play one another. The Phoenix Suns (19-3) face the Golden State Warriors (18-3) Friday night on the road after they faced one another in Phoenix Tuesday. Friday night, they tip off at 10 p.m. ET at Chase Center. Below, we look at the Suns vs. Warriors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Suns have won a franchise-record 18 straight games coming into tonight. They beat the Warriors at home 104-96 Tuesday to tie the previous record and then stretched it to 18 Thursday night with a 114-103 home win over the Detroit Pistons. Their last loss was Oct. 27.
The Warriors have not played since the loss to Phoenix. In that game G Stephen Curry had his worst shooting night of the season, going 4-for-21 for only 12 points. G Jordan Poole hit six three-pointers and led the Warriors with 28 points in the loss.
Suns at Warriors odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Suns +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Warriors -320 (bet $320 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Suns +6.5 (-105) | Warriors -6.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Suns at Warriors key injuries
Suns
- G Devin Booker (hamstring) out
- C Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
- F Abdel Nader (knee) out
- F Dario Saric (knee) out
Warriors
- F Andre Iguodala (knee) out
- G Klay Thompson (Achilles) out
- C James Wiseman (knee) out
Suns at Warriors odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 112, Suns 104
Money line
The Warriors have lost only once all season at home. They have not suffered consecutive losses yet this season. In fact, they won their next game after their two previous losses by an average of 19.5 points.
They are at home, rested and facing a shorthanded Suns team without their leading scorer as Devin Booker is out with a hamstring issue. Phoenix is also playing the second game of a back-to-back.
That said, you can’t bet more than three times your return on a regular-season game – PASS.
Against the spread
The Suns are 12-10 ATS this season and failed to cover the spread Thursday night in their win over the Pistons. They have covered the spread only once in four games coming off a back-to-back.
The Warriors are 15-5-1 ATS this season, 9-2-1 ATS at home. They are also 4-1-1 ATS when they have the rest advantage, which they do tonight.
Take the WARRIORS -6.5 (-120).
Over/Under
The Warriors are No. 1 in the NBA in defensive rating. The Suns are No. 2. Their game on Tuesday had a total of only 200 points.
Only two of the last 10 games for the Warriors have finished Over the projected total.
Six of the last eight games for the Suns have hit the Over.
But with two best defensive teams in the league and not a super-low projected total, take UNDER 217.5 (-108).
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