For the second time in a week, the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-21) face the Phoenix Suns (26-7) on the road. They tip off at 9 p.m. ET at Footprint Center Wednesdsay night. Below, we look at the Thunder vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Thunder are playing for the second straight night, losing 117-111 to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. they had won four of their previous five games. They faced the Suns on Dec. 23 in Phoenix and lost 113-101. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 29 points and seven assists in a losing effort.
The Suns have lost two straight games for only the second time all season. They lost 116-107 to the Golden State Warriors Saturday and then 114-113 Monday to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Phoenix played shorthanded on Monday, as C Deandre Ayton and F Jae Crowder entered health and safety protocols, as did head coach Monty Williams.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA December 29 breakdown
Thunder at Suns odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:22 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Thunder +850 (bet $100 to win $850) | Suns -1800 (bet $1,800 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +14.5 (-107) | Suns -14.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Thunder at Suns key injuries
Thunder
- SG Josh Giddey (health and safety protocols) out
- F Darius Bazley (health and safety protocols) out
- G Tre Mann (health and safety protocols) out
- F Aleksej Pokusevski (health and safety protocols) out
- C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (health and safety protocols) out
Suns
- C Deandre Ayton (health and safety protocols) out
- F Jae Crowder (health and safety protocols) out
- C Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
- F Abdel Nader (knee) out
- F Dario Saric (knee) out
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Thunder at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 115, Thunder 108
Money line
PASS on the money line. The Suns will get right in this game, even without two starters from the frontcourt. The Thunder are shorthanded as well, as both teams are dealing with players testing positive for COVID-19.
The Thunder lost to the Kings last night (Tuesday) and the Suns are a much better team. But the reward isn’t worth the risk at this price for the Suns.
Against the spread
The Thunder’s loss Tuesday ended a streak of six consecutive games covering the spread. OKC is 21-12 ATS on the season. The Thunder covered the spread in their loss to the Suns last week.
The Suns have not covered the spread in their last three games. They are 17-16 ATS this season. They are 3-3 ATS when favored by double digits.
Without Ayton and Crowder to help on defense, it will be closer than a blowout. The Suns will win, but take the THUNDER +14.5 (-107) to cover.
Over/Under
The Thunder’s last three games have gone Over the projected total and they are 8-5 O/U in their last 13 games, but they are 14-19 O/U overall this season.
The Suns’ last three games and six of their last seven have hit the Over.
Take OVER 218.5 (-108).
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