Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns Betting Preview/Player Prop

The Phoenix Suns host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in what should be a terrific battle in the Western Conference. Golden State is looking to stay in the playoff race in the West while the Phoenix Suns continue to climb up the standings.

Golden State comes into this game having lost two straight games, including a tough two-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. The Warriors are now just 19-17 on the season, and they will need a big second half to make the playoffs.

Phoenix has now won three straight games, and they have risen to the top of the loaded Pacific Division. The Suns enter this game with a record of 23-11 and are looking to close out the first half of the season strong. 

The Phoenix Suns are six-point favorites at home over the Golden State Warriors in this game. 

Curry Needs Some Help

If the Golden State Warriors are going to make the playoffs this season, then Stephen Curry is going to need some help. Curry is averaging 29.7 points per game this season, but he continues to draw the attention of opposing defenses.

Golden State is averaging 113 points per game, and they do lead the NBA with 28 assists per game. This Warriors team just doesn’t have enough three-point shooting threats to really challenge the top teams in the NBA.

Defense and depth are the two biggest issues with this Warriors team, and that will present a huge challenge in this matchup with the Phoenix Suns.

Suns Doing it With Defense

The Phoenix Suns are doing nearly everything well this season, but they have really dominated teams on the defensive end of the floor. Phoenix is allowing just 107.4 points per game, and this team has size that can protect the rim.

Phoenix is scoring just 113.4 points per game, but they have the ability to explode for more than that. Devin Booker leads the way with 25 points per game, and Chris Paul paces the team with nine assists per night. 

This Phoenix team is still lacking playoff experience, but all signs point to them being one of the top seeds in the West come playoff time. 

Suns Win in Close Game

The Phoenix Suns have emerged as a legitimate NBA title contender this season, but they still have some room to improve. Golden State has been better than expected this season, but Stephen Curry continues to need more help from his teammates.

This could be a high-scoring affair even though Phoenix has been a terrific defensive team this season. Golden State will try to turn this game into a shootout and allow Curry to make shots late in the game.

The Warriors will keep this game close throughout, but they just don’t have enough offense to pull off the win in this game. Phoenix will survive and get the win, but it’s not going to come easy.

Bet the Golden State Warriors +6.0, but Phoenix wins this game.

Player Prop

Devin Booker Over 26.5 Points (-110)

Devin Booker plays with a lot of fire. Occasionally, that fire can backfire, as it did on Tuesday when Booker was ejected from the Suns’ game against the Lakers after receiving two technicals.

But more often that not, Booker’s fire leads to productive games. On the season, he is leading Phoenix in scoring at 25.2 ppg. He’s at a career-high in FG percentage (50.3 percent) and he’s hitting 36.7 percent of his 3s, which is his best rate since the 2017-18 season. In the four games prior to Tuesday’s ejection, he had raised his average to 33.0 ppg, including a 43-point outburst against Minnesota Timberwolves on February 28.

Even before Booker’s ejection with 7:10 left in the third quarter, he was well on his way to another big game with 17 points. We expect Booker to come out firing tonight as he looks to put that game in the rear view mirror. In addition, his All-Star game snub does not appear to be pacified by being named as an injury replacement.

We’ll take Booker (-110) playing with a chip to go Over 26.5 Points tonight.

Keep up with your latest NBA news and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.