The red-hot Phoenix Suns (16-3) are on the road against the first-place Brooklyn Nets (14-5) Saturday in what could be an NBA Finals preview. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center. Below, we look at the Suns vs. Nets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Suns picked up a 118-97 road win over the New York Knicks Friday. G Devin Booker scored 32 in the victory and has scored over 30 points in consecutive games. The Suns have won 15 games in a row.
The Nets have won four in a row and 12 of their last 14 contests. They defeated the Boston Celtics 123-104 their last time Wednesday. F Kevin Durant is averaging 28.1 points per game and G James Harden adds 20.7 points and 9.2 assists per contest.
Suns at Nets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at noon ET.
- Money line: Suns +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Nets -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Suns +1.5 (-112) | Nets -1.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Suns at Nets key injuries
Suns (not officially submitted)
- C Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
- F Dario Saric (knee) out
- F Abdel Nader (knee) questionable
Nets
- F Bruce Brown (hamstring) probable
- C Nicolas Claxton (illness) out
- F Joe Harris (ankle) out
- G Kyrie Irving (ineligible to play) out
Suns at Nets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nets 121, Suns 117
Money line
The Suns have been winning every game regardless of if they’ve been close or blowouts. They control the game from the start and they rally in the fourth quarter. However, the question is whether they have the ability to slow the Nets.
Harden is getting to the free-throw line again. After just one game with at least nine free throws in his first 12 games, he has had at least nine attempts in five of his last seven outings.
The Suns are 8-1 on the road compared to the Nets’ 6-3 home record, but all win streaks have to end at some point, and playing the Nets on the second game of a back-to-back when the Nets have not played in three games is a recipe for a loss.
Take the NETS (-120).
Against the spread
The Suns have covered the spread only twice in their last seven games and are 10-9 ATS overall.
The Nets have also only covered in two of their last seven and are 9-10 ATS.
The spread is too small to think the Suns will lose but cover, so take the NETS -1.5 (-108).
Over/Under
The last five games for the Suns have gone Over the projected total.
The last four games for the Nets and seven of the last eight have hit the Over as well.
Both teams are 9-10 O/U.
Tonight should have a lot of points.
Take OVER 223.5 (-115).
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