Thunder vs. Suns Betting Odds – February 8
Carrie Stroup here with your Thunder vs. Suns betting odds for Monday night Oklahoma City -13.5, Total: 215.5
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (38-14) at PHOENIX SUNS (14-38)
The Thunder will be looking to get back into the win column when they face a Suns team that has lost seven straight games heading into Monday.
The Thunder are coming off of a 116-108 loss as 7.5-point road underdogs against the Warriors on Saturday. Oklahoma City had actually cut the deficit to one late in the game and had a number of chances to take the lead. The team will not be experiencing any lack of confidence after that one and will now look to get right back on track with a win over Phoenix.
The Suns are the perfect team for them to be playing, as they have lost seven straight games and have shot less than 40% in three of their past four. If Phoenix does not correct things offensively then a blowout in favor of Oklahoma City on Monday is likely.
The Thunder have already won the two games these teams have played this season, but Phoenix did cover the last time around and both of those games were at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Suns are also a solid 3-1 both SU and ATS at home against the Thunder over the past three seasons. Phoenix is, however, just 6-16 ATS when playing eight or more games in 14 days this season.
Fortunately the team will be up against an Oklahoma City team that is 0-7 ATS after three straight games with 55 or more rebounds this season. SG Andre Roberson (Knee) is out for the next few weeks for the Thunder and the Suns are without SF T.J. Warren (Ankle) and PGs Brandon Knight (Groin), Ronnie Price (Toe) and Eric Bledsoe (Knee) either indefinitely or for the remainder of the season.
The Thunder forced the Warriors to play one of the few close games that they’ve needed to compete in all season long. Just doing that on the road will give this Oklahoma City team the feeling that it can compete with anybody in a seven-game series.
One reason the Thunder kept things close was because SF Kevin Durant (27.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.0 SPG) was nearly impossible to guard. Durant finished the game with 40 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal in 40 minutes of action. He showed off the entire package against Golden State and should have no problem torching Phoenix on Monday. In two meetings with the Suns this season, Durant is averaging 27.5 PPG on 52.5% shooting from the field. If he can match that production then the Thunder will likely be picking up a nice road win in this one.
It also won’t hurt the Thunder if PG Russell Westbrook (24.0 PPG, 10.0 APG, 7.6 RPG, 2.4 SPG) can continue to play the way he’s been playing. Westbrook has recorded six straight double-doubles for Oklahoma City and he has done so by dishing out double-digit assists in addition to his already potent scoring. He is really doing a good job of balancing out the offense, making sure his teammates get good looks and also knowing when he should attack himself. Like Durant, Westbrook has lit it up against this Phoenix team and is averaging 28.5 PPG and 12.5 APG against the Suns this season. He should be in for a big game on both sides of the floor on Monday.
The Suns have not looked great recently and have had a very disappointing season overall. They are, however, getting a chance to see their young players get significant minutes.
One guy that has been really good for this team is SG Devin Booker (10.7 PPG). Over the past five games, Booker is averaging 20.4 PPG on 42.7% shooting from the field and 41.7% shooting from the outside. He has one of the best strokes in the league already and will need to play well against Oklahoma City on Monday. If he does not find a way to score then it’s likely that the Suns will get blown out in this one.
Another player that will need to show up on Monday is PG Archie Goodwin (8.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.1 APG). Goodwin is a very athletic combo guard and actually could be a good option in terms of stopping Russell Westbrook on Monday. He is very similar to Westbrook in both size and athletic ability and will need to stay in front of the Thunder guard on defense. He’ll also need to continue to play well offensively. He is averaging 18.0 PPG over the past three contests and really knows how to get to the rim.
C Tyson Chandler (5.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG) will also be important in this one. Chandler will need to protect the rim for Phoenix on Monday or Westbrook and Durant will score whenever they want to around the basket.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
