The Golden State Warriors will look to eke out a win just before the All-Star break, while the Phoenix Suns are eyeing to keep their unbeaten run alive, heading into the weekend. More on this game below.
Catch this game live on Friday, March 5, at 11 AM, Manila time
HOME TEAM: Phoenix Suns (23-11, 11-6 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: Deandre Ayton
Phoenix is as hot as the suns’ surface right now. The team has won six of its last seven games and will arrive at Friday’s game on a three-game win streak. The Suns are coming off the heels of a 114-104 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Not only are the Suns winning in bunches lately, but they have also been a gift that keeps on giving for their spread bettors. The Suns are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games. Moreover, Phoenix has also covered the spread in eight of their last 10 games at home.
Phoenix’s success has a lot to do with its balanced offense and defense. The Suns are inside the top 10 of adjusted offensive and defensive efficacies. Chris Paul and Devin Booker are running the show on offense, while Deandre Ayton anchors the middle on both ends of the floor.
Ayton could be a huge problem for the Warriors, who just allowed Enes Kanter to hit a double-double (11 points, 14 rebounds). If the Warriors want to turn this game into a shootout, the Suns will not hesitate to oblige. The Suns are knocking down 13.4 threes per game on 37.9 3FG%.
ROAD TEAM: Golden State Warriors (19-17, 7-11 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Stephen Curry
- SG: Andrew Wiggins
- SF: Kent Bazemore
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: Kevon Looney
The Warriors are still winless in their current road trip. After getting absolutely crushed by the Los Angeles Lakers in a 117-91 loss at STAPLES Center, Stephen Curry and company suffered a 108-106 road loss on Thursday to the Portland Trail Blazers.
It was just too much reliance on Curry for the Warriors, who will have to do better in giving the two-time MVP the scoring support that he lacks right now. Curry ended up with 35 points against the Blazers but the rest of the starters combined for just 40 points, with Kent Bazemore and Andrew Wiggins going 11 of 27 from the field.
The Warriors did not have Kelly Oubre to help Curry out, he was ruled out due to a wrist problem, though there’s still a chance he’d play against his former team. If he sits this one out, the Warriors might have to start Bazemore once again. Bazemore had 12 points (5-12 FG) in the Blazers game, but it’s Wiggins that really needs to deliver better results. Wiggins’ two-way role will be especially highlighted against the Suns, as he’ll likely be assigned to keep up with Devin Booker.
If anything, Wiggins held Booker to only 41.7 FG% when he was the closest defender to the Suns’ hotshot last season. The under has gone 4-0 in Golden State’s last four games away from the Bay Area.
PREDICTIONS:
Damian Lillard had a generally bad game on Thursday and the Blazers still managed to take down the Warriors. This Friday, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton will take turns in punishing the Warriors inside and out as the Suns win, 121-114.
