The Phoenix Suns (38-35) will try to slow down the league’s top scorer, Russell Westbrook (27.3 PPG), when they challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder (41-31) at the US Airways Center. The game starts at 9:00 pm ET on Sunday, Mar. 29 and will air on NBATV, FSN-OK and FSN-AZ.
The Suns were beaten by the Trail Blazers 87-81 on Friday. Marcus Morris played well in the loss for Phoenix, recording 19 points and 12 rebounds to earn his fourth double-double of the season. The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off a demoralizing 130-91 loss to the Spurs on Wednesday. Dion Waiters accumulated 14 points, two rebounds, and one steal.
Enes Kanter has been on a tear over the last five games for the Thunder, averaging 18.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
The Thunder have won two out of three against the Suns this season, but dropped their most recent game, 117-113. Bledsoe recorded a double-double with 28 points and 13 rebounds.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Suns look to build on their records of 38-35 Straight Up (SU) and 37-33-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 20-24 SU and 18-23-3 ATS against teams from the Western Conference. The Suns have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire league, averaging 103.8 points per game. The most recent 10 game stretch for the Suns has gone great. Over that span, Phoenix’s opponents are averaging 93.0 points per game, well under their season average of 103.4.
On the other side, Oklahoma City has a SU record of 41-31 and an ATS record of 36-34-2. In Western Conference games, Oklahoma City has gone 21-22 SU and 23-19-1 ATS. Oklahoma City has been playing better lately, averaging 110.9 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 103.4. Oklahoma City is the best rebounding teams in the NBA. The Thunder average a league-leading 47.5 rebounds per game. Oklahoma City’s defense has allowed an average of 109.7 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 101.0.
Phoenix won the last meeting this season between these two teams, but the Thunder still lead the head-to-head record over the last 10, 7-3 SU. At 5-5, they are even bets ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Phoenix and Oklahoma City each held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last 10 meetings.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC, ATS Winner – OKC
Notes
On average, Oklahoma City scores 103.4 points per game (ranked eighth). Phoenix ranks 26th in points allowed per game with 103.4.
Phoenix ranks 24th in points allowed per home game (101.6 PPG), while Oklahoma City ranks 11th in points per away game with 100.3.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Phoenix Suns are a winning 20-7. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a subpar record of 7-19.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Suns are just 18-28 this season. Oklahoma City is a solid 34-12 when it reaches the century mark.
Phoenix’s offense and Oklahoma City’s defense both rank 13th this season. Phoenix has an offensive rating of 103.4 and Oklahoma City has a defensive rating of 101.9.
The Phoenix Suns average 100.4 possessions per game and 1.034 points per possession, while the Oklahoma City Thunder earn fewer possessions (99.1) but more points per possession (1.044).
Ranked eighth in the NBA, Phoenix has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.6%. Oklahoma City is 11-15 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Phoenix Suns attempt 25.5 three point field goals per game and the Oklahoma City Thunder attempt 22.5 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Phoenix has a 20-26 record and Oklahoma City has a 9-10 record.
Phoenix has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.38 this season (ranked 28th). Oklahoma City ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.47 (ranked 22nd).
Oklahoma City is the best rebounding team in the NBA this season with 47.5 per game. On the other side, Phoenix is in the top half of the league, ranking 15th with 43.6 per game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are among the best offensive rebounding teams in the league (ranked second). The Phoenix Suns are in the top half of NBA teams in defensive rebounding (ranked 13th).
Phoenix ranks 10th in forced turnovers with an average rate of 15.1%. Oklahoma City has an 18-14 record when they suffer a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
