Phoenix Suns vs Brooklyn Nets: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (2/7/23)
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The Phoenix Suns visit the Brooklyn Nets in a pivotal game for both before the trade deadline. The Suns are coming off a comfortable win against the Pistons on the road, while the Nets are coming off a close home loss to the Clippers. This should be an interesting matchup with trade deadline looming and Devin Booker coming back for the Suns. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!
Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Odds
The Phoenix Suns are 7.5-point road favorites against the Brooklyn Nets and are at -300 on the money line. The over/under is also set at 225. The Suns being this much of a favorite makes sense because Devin Booker is coming back to play in the game, so the Suns should almost be fully healthy for the first time in a long time. The over/under also makes sense because both of these teams are very good offensively. This spread should stay where it’s at before tip-off too.
Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction
The pick: Phoenix Suns -7.5
The Phoenix Suns are finally going to be fully healthy for the first time in a while. Devin Booker is set to come back for this game after missing a lot of time with an injury.
Booker is the main leader for Phoenix and leads the team in scoring. Deandre Ayton has stepped up more this year with Booker missing time and is the second-leading scorer and leader in rebounds for the team. Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson have both been very good on the wing for Phoenix this season too.
As a team, the Suns excel more on defense than on offense. They’re top five in points allowed at 111.3 per game and they’re top-10 in blocks per game for the season.
On the other side, the Nets are in flux because they just made a big trade to get rid of Kyrie Irving. They also won’t have Kevin Durant because he’s still sidelined with an injury. The player to watch for Brooklyn is Cam Thomas. He’s coming off back-to-back 40 point games and seems to be the guy to try and hold it down for Brooklyn until Durant comes back. Nic Claxton is a breakout player this year and has provided a much-needed boost for the Nets down low. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks per game for the season. Royce O’Neale should also be in line for an expanded role in this game.
As a team, the Nets are solid on both offense and defense. They’re second in field goal percentage at 50.6%, top-10 in point differential, top-10 in points allowed, and are first in blocks at 6.8 per game.
The Suns should win this game easily because they are finally healthy. The Nets are also still trying to deal with lineup changes, and don’t have it completely ready yet. The Suns should win easily on the road with their best player back.
Betting Trends
Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Nets are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games.
Key Matchups
Can Cam Thomas matchup with Devin Booker? Can Nic Claxton matchup with Deandre Ayton?
Devin Booker vs. Cam Thomas
Devin Booker should be great in his return. He averages 27 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Cam Thomas most of the game, who averages 10 points, 1 assist, and 1 rebound per game for the season. This is going to be a great matchup because Devin Booker is one of the best shooting guards in the NBA, while Cam Thomas is up and coming fast.
Deandre Ayton vs. Nic Claxton
Deandre Ayton has been very good for the Suns this year. He averages 18 points, 2 assists, and 10 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Nic Claxton most of the game, who averages 13 points, 2 assists, and 9 rebounds per game for the season. This is going to be a great matchup because Ayton is established as a dominant big man, but Claxton is having a breakout year this year too.
Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Cameron Johnson
C: Deandre Ayton
Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineups
PG: Ben Simmons
SG: Edmond Sumner
SF: Cam Thomas
PF: Royce O’Neale
C: Nicolas Claxton
Key Injuries
Phoenix Suns Injuries: SG Landry Shamet (Foot) O, PG Cameron Payne (Foot) O
Brooklyn Nets Injuries: SG Seth Curry (Adductor) O, SF Kevin Durant (Knee) O
