The Phoenix Suns will look to rebound from a loss when they take on the in-rhythm Washington Wizards this Sunday.
Catch this game live on Sunday, April 11, at 10 AM, Manila time.
HOME TEAM: Phoenix Suns (36-15 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: Deandre Ayton
The Suns cooled off a bit after seeing their seven-game win streak end in a 113-103 road loss to the LA Clippers last Friday. Before that, the Suns tamed the Utah Jazz in a hard-earned 117-113 home overtime win on Thursday.
With a full day of rest between the loss to the Clippers and Sunday’s showdown against Washington, Chris Paul and the Suns should come into their next game fresher. Take note that the Suns are 20-9-0 against the spread in games after they took exactly one day of rest — the second-best mark in the NBA, as of this writing. The Suns also have extra motivation this Sunday since the Wizards beat them in Washington back in January, 128-107.
Devin Booker was sensational in that game, though, as he dropped 33 points on 11-21 shooting. Deandre Ayton scored just 8 points, but he’s been better of late. The former Arizona Wildcats star has averaged 16.4 points on 63.3 FG% in the last five Phoenix games.
ROAD TEAM: Washington Wizards (19-32 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Bradley Beal
- SF: Deni Avidja
- PF: Rui Hachimura
- C: Alex Len
The Wizards find themselves suddenly on a groove, as Russell Westbrook and company have won back-to-back games, heading into Sunday’s matchup against Phoenix. Westbrook posted yet another triple-double in Saturday’s 110-107 road win over the Golden State Warriors, finishing the game with 19 points, 14 assists, and 14 rebounds, while Rui Hachimura and Bradley Beal had 22 and 20 points, respectively.
Westbrook should be the biggest factor in this rematch with the Suns. He wasn’t around in the first meeting with Phoenix due to a quadriceps injury, but Beal was there to offset Devin Booker’s offensive production, as he had 34 points. The Wizards made it rain from deep against Phoenix, going 15 of 34 on their 3-point shots.
The Wizards went 5 of 19 from behind the arc against Golden State, but don’t expect them to shy away from pulling the trigger whenever they feel it, as that could open up Phoenix’s stout defense. Washington is one of the best when it comes to covering a spread after a win, as the team is 11-7 ATS this season in games following a successful cover.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread:
The public must be going a bit crazy on the Wizards with the success the team has been having lately, but a well-rested Phoenix team will put this lottery-bound Washington squad in its place. The Suns blow out the Wizards and cover the spread -11.5.
Over/Under:
The Suns have learned their lesson from their past loss to Washington. No more easy scores this time for the Wizards, while the Suns have their way against one of the worst defenses in the league. Take the under 229.5.
