The Phoenix Suns (11-19) will attempt to put an end to their seven-game losing streak when they go head-to-head with the Golden State Warriors (8-24) at Chase Center. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 27, 2019, and will air on NBATV.
Phoenix opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 223.5 points.
Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Prediction
Although the Suns were beaten by the Denver Nuggets in their last matchup, 113-111, they were able to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (224) finished over the O/U total of 219. Denver’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Phoenix. The Nuggets had a rate of 0.647 (above their season average of 0.514), while the Suns posted a mark of 0.557. Ricky Rubio was Phoenix’s leading scorer with 21 points on 9-for-12 shooting.
The last time the Warriors took the floor, they defeated the Houston Rockets, 116-104, despite being 11-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (220) were under the projected point total of 230. Golden State was effective at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Warriors made 25 of their 28 free throws (89.3 percent), while the Rockets were 14-16 (87.5 percent). Damion Lee led Golden State in scoring with 22 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field.
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Golden State offense. Golden State ranks 16th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 13.9 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Phoenix forces the second-most turnovers in the NBA (15.5 percent).
Phoenix heads into the game with records of 11-19 straight up (SU) and 16-13-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Suns are involved, as 60.0 percent of their games have ended over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Golden State owns records of 8-24 SU and 15-17 ATS. Contrary to Phoenix, Warriors games have typically gone under the O/U total (56.3 percent).
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Aron Baynes recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in the first matchup, in which the Suns, who were 5.5-point underdogs, beat the Warriors 121-110. The game finished with a total of 231 points, which was just 0.5 points below the projected point total of 231.5 points. The Suns had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.5 vs. 17.9) and had a better turnover percentage (13.2 vs. 15.5).
Suns vs. Warriors Betting Pick
NBA Tip: ATS Winner – Warriors, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Phoenix ranks third in points off turnovers per game (19.5) while Golden State ranks 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.7).
Golden State ranks sixth in steals per game (8.4) while Phoenix ranks 15th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
Phoenix is 7-5 ATS on the road, while Golden State is 7-8 ATS at home.
In its last five outings, Phoenix is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Golden State is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.2, up from 0.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 105.2 points per game (0.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.4 points per game (6.6 below their season average).
