A Pacific Division battle has garnered the spotlight for Thursday night’s NBA betting slate. Both the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns will be looking to gain an early leg up in the Western Conference standings when they tangle in the desert. The NBA odds and expert Warriors vs Suns prediction analysts give the home team a slim edge.
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Warriors vs Suns Game Info
Golden State Warriors (10-8, 3-4 Away) at Phoenix Suns (8-8, 3-4 Home)
Date: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021
Venue: Phoenix Suns Arena — Phoenix, AZ
Start Time: 10 p.m. EST
TV: TNT
Warriors vs Suns NBA Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of Bovada Sportsbook
Moneyline: GSW: (+120) | PHX: (-140)
Spread: GSW: +2.5 (-110) | PHX: -2.5 (-110)
Total: 220.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Warriors vs Suns NBA Betting Overview
Warriors Outlook
While they may not be back to the same level as their dynasty years of last decade, the Warriors are certainly a step ahead of where they were last season. After missing the vast majority of last season with a broken wrist, Stephen Curry is quietly putting up MVP-caliber numbers. His averages of 27.7 points, 6.1 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals have all been vital to Golden State’s NBA betting success.
Thursday’s game marks the third for the Warriors this week and is also the second leg of a back-to-back. Golden State defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves twice in a row on Monday and Wednesday and will look to extend their winning streak to three against the feisty Suns. While Steve Kerr did elect to switch Kevon Looney into the starting lineup in place of rookie James Wiseman, you wouldn’t be able to tell based on their stat lines in the games against Minnesota. With both turning into comfortable Warriors wins, Wiseman still logged significant minutes in mop-up duty.
Warriors Injury Report
- Out: Klay Thompson, Marquese Chriss, Alen Smailagic
Suns Outlook
The Suns will be seeking to end an active three-game NBA betting losing streak on Thursday night, one that has dropped their record to .500 on the season. At the time of writing, it’s unknown as to whether Phoenix will have star guard Devin Booker available. Booker has not played since suffering a hamstring strain last Friday. Coach Monty Williams said at the time that he could miss up to a week. Thursday would mark Booker’s third missed game if he indeed does not play.
Chris Paul has notably picked up the slack in his absence. A 32-point effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday was great, except Phoenix failed to get the win. Center Deandre Ayton has been a major disappointment so far this season for Phoenix. Perhaps this matchup against Golden State’s fluctuating frontcourt will provide him the chance to get righted around. The Suns will need to rely on their suffocating team defense to shut down the offensively-minded Warriors.
Suns Injury Report
- Out: Dario Saric (virus), Damian Jones (virus)
- Questionable: Devin Booker (hamstring), Cameron Payne (foot)
Warriors vs Suns NBA Betting Trends
- Warriors 2020-21 Betting Trends: 9-9 ATS; 9-9 to the Over
- Suns 2020-21 Betting Trends: 8-8 ATS; 6-10 to the Over
- The Warriors are just 2-5 ATS on the road this season.
- The Suns are 3-1 both SU and ATS when playing on no days’ rest this season.
- The Under has hit in eight of the Suns’ 11 games in which they have been NBA betting favorites this season.
Warriors vs Suns Statistics
- Golden State is averaging 113.2 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 11 in the NBA)
- Golden State is surrendering 114.5 PPG on the season (No. 24 in the NBA)
- Phoenix is averaging 110.2 PPG this season (No. 19 in the NBA)
- Phoenix is surrendering 108.6 PPG (No. 6 in the NBA)
Warriors vs Suns Prop Bet
Kelly Oubre Jr. Total Rebounds: Over 5.5 (-130 at Bovada Sportsbook)
Ah yes, the old “revenge game”! Chris Paul showed out in his revenge game against the Thunder on Wednesday. Now, former Phoenix Sun Kelly Oubre Jr. gets his opportunity to put up some numbers against his former team. Both the NBA betting and fantasy basketball communities were well aware of Oubre’s slow start this season in the Bay Area. In the past couple of weeks though, the 25-year-old has looked much more comfortable. This has translated not just in the scoring column but in other statistical areas as well.
Entering Thursday’s game, Oubre has pulled down six or more rebounds in four of Golden State’s last five games. His season average of 5.7 per game sits just a hair above the betting line for this NBA player prop of 5.5. My initial look was to his points prop, but that feels a touch too high for comfort at 14.5. I’ll pivot to betting Over on Oubre’s rebounds with the expectation that he will come to play against his former team.
