Warriors vs. Suns Betting Line – Grizzlies vs. Bulls Betting Line
The Warriors vs. Suns betting line and Grizzlies vs. Bulls betting line can be found at Sportsbook.ag.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (49-12) at PHOENIX SUNS (33-31)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Golden State -5.5, Total: 213.5
The Phoenix Suns return home following a long road trip to host the Golden State Warriors this Monday night.
Golden State comes into this battle with wins in five of its past six games SU, but they've covered just twice in that time. The team’s elite offense was able to score at least 102 points in each of the games in that time as it shot better than 46% in five of the contests. On Sunday, the Warriors took on a tough opponent in the Clippers and were giving 8.5 points at home as they just failed to cover the spread in a 106-98 win. The team hit 40-of-80 shots (50% FG) in the victory and was its usual impressive self from behind the arc; making 10-of-22 three-pointers (46% 3PM).
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The Suns have done slightly better of late following a 5-game losing streak in mid-February and come into this contest with victories in four of their past seven games (5-2 ATS). Their offense was the main reason that they either won or lost in that period, scoring more than 105 points in each of the four wins and averaging a mere 83.7 PPG in the losses. On Saturday, the team finished off its road trip with a visit to the Cavaliers as big 11-point underdogs and just barely covered in an 89-79 loss. It was a horrible showing by Phoenix, who made a meager 30-of-84 shots (36% FG) with the starters shooting just 31% from the floor as a unit.
The Warriors have taken a majority of their losses when playing away from home with a record of 22-10 SU (15-17 ATS) on the road as they face a Suns group which is 17-13 SU (15-15 ATS) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. These clubs have split the first two matchups this season with the home team winning by an average of 15.5 PPG. The last time they were in Phoenix was in early November and the Suns won 107-95 as 2.5-point favorites despite shooting just 43% from the field as they made 27 free throws and forced their opponent into 26 turnovers. Overall in the past three seasons it has been all Golden State in this series as they have gone 7-3 SU (5-5 ATS) and scored triple-digits eight times.
As far as trends are concerned, the Warriors have put up a record of 8-4 ATS (67%) this season against opponents within their division and Phoenix is a solid 12-4 ATS (75%) when revenging a road loss to an opponent this year. Going into this contest, Golden State has no injuries to its club as the Suns have C Alex Len (Ankle) listed as questionable.
The Warriors have no problems dominating on the offensive end of things and they lead the league in scoring (109.8 PPG), field-goal percentage (47.8% FG) and three-point percentage (39.1% 3PM). They’ve been solid on defense as well, giving up 99.7 PPG on a miniscule 42.6% shooting (best in league).
PG Stephen Curry (23.8 PPG, 7.8 APG, 4.4 RPG, 2.1 SPG) has seen a dip in his performance over the past three games, scoring 17.7 PPG with 7.3 APG in that time, but has had his way in the two games against the Suns, going for 26.5 PPG, 8.5 APG and 3.5 SPG.
SG Klay Thompson (21.7 PPG, 43% 3PM) has made five of his last 10 three-pointers in the past two games and is coming off a very nice 21-point performance in the win over the Clippers on Sunday. He wasn’t on the court for the first meeting with Phoenix, but provided his team with 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting with two blocks the last time they saw each other.
SF Draymond Green (11.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG) has found his offensive game over the past three games and has netted 21.3 PPG over that period, adding 8.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.7 SPG and 1.7 BPG as well. He’s been all over the court in his two performances against the Suns this season with 15.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 3.0 BPG.
It has never been the offense that gives Phoenix fits, and this year the team is scoring 105.3 PPG (3rd in league) behind 45.7% shooting (9th in league). It is the defense that really is the issue as the Suns are allowing opponents to put up 104.8 PPG (3rd-worst in league) on 45.2% shooting (11th-worst in league).
PG Eric Bledsoe (17.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 5.5 RPG, 1.7 SPG) is coming off a rough shooting performance (3-for-12) in the loss to the Cavs when he scored seven points to go with nine assists, four rebounds and a steal. He hasn’t been too much of a force in the first couple of meetings with this opponent, going for 12.5 PPG and 3.0 APG.
PG Brandon Knight (17.3 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.0 RPG, 1.4 SPG) is still trying to find his groove with the Suns and has netted a mere 12.8 PPG on 29.5% shooting over the past five contests. He has yet to face the Warriors this year and averaged a solid 22.5 PPG (55% FG), 5.0 APG and 1.0 SPG in two games last year as a member of the Bucks.
PF Markieff Morris (15.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.2 SPG) has been the team’s best offensive player of late, making 51% of his shots for 16.2 PPG over the last five games. He didn’t do well in the first game against Golden State this year, fouling out after 25 minutes with eight points and seven rebounds, but put up a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) in the most recent matchup.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (44-18) at CHICAGO BULLS (39-25)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Memphis -5.5, Total: 185
Both the Grizzlies and Bulls will be trying to get back into the win column when the teams meet in Chicago on Monday.
The Grizzlies went into New Orleans on Saturday and lost 95-89 as 1.5-point road ‘dogs. Memphis has not played well on the defensive end recently, allowing its opponents to shoot 45% or better from the field in six of its past seven games. The Grizzlies are just 3-4 SU and 1-6 ATS in those contests.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have lost SU and ATS in two straight games after a 116-105 loss in San Antonio as 10-point road underdogs on Sunday. Chicago turned the ball over 20 times against the Spurs and that type of performance will not give the team a chance to win against Memphis.
These teams last met on Dec. 19, 2014, when the Bulls beat the Grizzlies 103-97 as 6.5-point road underdogs. The Grizzlies have, however, had success in the United Center recently. Memphis has now won-and-covered in its past two trips to Chicago and both of those games went Under the total. This Bulls team is 0-9 ATS in home games after playing three consecutive games as an underdog over the past three seasons. However, the Bulls are also 13-3 ATS after two straight games making 85% of their free throws or better over the past three seasons. They are also up against a Memphis team that is 17-38 ATS after two straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the past two seasons.
The Grizzlies aren’t currently dealing with any injuries and the Bulls are without SG Jimmy Butler (Elbow), PG Derrick Rose (Knee) and PF Taj Gibson (Knee) indefinitely.
The Grizzlies are allowing just 95.6 PPG (1st in NBA), but the team has struggled defensively recently. They’ll need to pick it up in order to prevent themselves from slipping in the standings. SF Jeff Green (15.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG) had 20 points in 36 minutes against the Pelicans on Saturday. It was his second 20-point game with Memphis and the team needs him to continue being aggressive moving forward.
C Marc Gasol (18.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 BPG) really struggled against New Orleans. In 35 minutes, the big man had just eight points to go along with seven boards, six assists, five blocks and three steals. While Gasol did fill up the stat sheet, his team needs him to score more. He had just 13 points in his first meeting with Chicago this season and must do better against this tough Bulls frontcourt.
PG Mike Conley (16.4 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG) had 21 points the last time he faced the Bulls, but he only had two assists in that game. Conley must do a better job of getting his teammates involved in this meeting. He’s going to be up against a Bulls team that is depleted at the point guard position and he should be able to have his way Monday.
PF Zach Randolph (16.4 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG) had eight points and 12 rebounds the last time he faced the Bulls. Randolph will need to get himself going in this game. He had just seven points in the loss to the Pelicans and his team is relying on him to score at least 15 points per night.
The Bulls have looked lousy in their past two games and with injuries tearing apart their roster. PF Pau Gasol (18.3 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 BPG) is being counted on to produce on a nightly basis. Gasol played well against the Spurs, finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes. He struggled the last time he faced Memphis though, scoring just six points in 32 minutes. If Gasol can’t improve his scoring in this meeting with his brother’s team then the Bulls will have trouble winning this one at home.
C Joakim Noah (7.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.3 BPG) had 10 points, 13 rebounds and a block the last time he faced the Grizzlies. His intensity on both ends of the floor gave Marc Gasol a lot of problems and he’ll need to do his best to get in the All-Star’s head once again. Noah has taken over as the Bulls’ primary playmaker recently as well, averaging 8.0 APG over the past five games. He is the best passer on this team and will need to continue to get his teammates the ball until PG Derrick Rose (18.4 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.3 SPG) returns.
PG Aaron Brooks (10.8 PPG, 2.9 APG) is Rose’s placeholder at the point guard position, but Brooks is a scorer and not a passer. He had 22 points in 26 minutes in a loss to the Spurs last game, but he has just five assists in his past two games. Brooks will need to keep knocking down outside shots (40% 3PT) and attacking the basket in order to create some room for his teammates.
SG Tony Snell (5.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG) is an x-factor for the Bulls while the team deals with injuries. Snell is a good shooter (39% 3PT) and is capable of putting up decent numbers, but he’s averaging just 4.0 PPG over the past three contests and must gain some confidence back on Monday.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
