The Phoenix Suns travel visit the Oklahoma City Thunder looking to climb out of the play-ins. They also hope to avoid a regular season series sweep.
Catch the game tomorrow at AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Phoenix Suns (43-30, 20-16 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Devin Booker
- Bradley Beal
- Grayson Allen
- Kevin Durant
- Jusuf Nurkic (day-to-day)
The Suns are 4-1 across their last five games, averaging 116.0 points per game and only allowing 104.8 on the other end. The most recent win was also against the defending champion Denver Nuggets, in Colorado no less.
Such a stretch is what they need facing the young and high-powered Thunder, who has beaten them twic this season – 111-99 last November, and 118-110 earlier this month. The catch there, however, is Devin Booker (27.2 PPG, 6.9 APG) was out on both contests, and will be available tomorrow. With the urgency to move back into the Top 6 out West, he and Kevin Durant (27.9 PPG) should be quite focused tomorrow.
Big man Jusuf Nurkic had 14 points and a monstrous 31 rebounds vs. OKC last March 4th, but he’s day-to-day with an ankle injury. Third option Bradley Beal, meanwhile, should look to be better as he is only at 9.4 points–albeit with 8.2 dimes–in his last five games.
HOME: Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22, 28-8 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (day-to-day)
- Josh Giddey
- Lu Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
The Thunder look to bounce back from a 132-126 overtime home loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday, where the supporting cast fell short while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was with an ailing quad. He’s day-to-day, but there could be a chance he returns Saturday.
As one of the best scorers and finest players today, SGA’s potential absence is obviously a huge factor. Note that he scored 35 in each of the two victories over the Suns this season, on a combined 57.1% shooting. Should he remain out, Jalen Williams (19.4 PPG, 53.6 FG%) will keep taking over the primary role. He, on the other hand, had 31 and 22 points in their two meetings vs. Phoenix.
Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, and Lu Dort will be there as well. Giddey has posted 28.0 / 8.0 / 4.0 on 64% shooting (45.5% from three) in his last two games.
PICKS:
Spread: Phoenix Suns (-2.5)
Over/Under: Over/Under (227)
