Much like this week’s Super Bowl line between Minnesota and New Orleans, you can almost guarantee a shootout on Saturday night, when Phoenix and Golden State meet in the desert. These two score the most points in the NBA, but they also give up the most.Warriors vs Suns odds – Saturday, January 23, 9:00 PM ET
The Warriors can barely put together a lineup these days, as they’ve played three straight games with eight players ahead of Friday’s game against New Jersey. Monta Ellis has played every minute of the last four games despite a sore ankle, the ankle he had surgery on the offseason. But he’s still put up 31.0 points over his last five games, taking 138 shots in the process. Corey Maggette has averaged 30.8 points, while Andris Biedrins has grabbed 10.8 boards over his last five games. Even rookie Stephen Curry is coming on, putting up 17.8 points, and these injuries are giving him some valuable learning experience.
The Suns snapped a four-game skid by throttling New Jersey on Wednesday, and they also face Chicago on Friday night. Phoenix is just happy to be home after coming up empty on a four-game road trip, and they were 16-4 at home before Friday’s game against the Bulls. The Suns’ disdain for defense is amusing at times, and with this meeting with the Warriors, a ticket would definitely be worth the price per head in entertainment value.
The Suns should definitely be favored by bookmaker odds (bookmaker reviews) at US Airways Center, as the Warriors haven’t won there since March 2005, which is a span of nine games. The Warriors are a brutal 4-17 away from home, and to make matters worse, they’re a miserable 2-6 in the second half of back-to-back games. This won’t be helped by their injury worries. The Suns are 3-6 in the second half of back-to-back games, but they get the advantage of being at home. Neither team has a particularly tough opponent on Friday night, but the Warriors still have to travel, while the Suns should be rested and riding the momentum of an easy win on Friday night. Take a close look at the total, as well: surprisingly, three of the last five meetings between these two have gone under.
Sports wagering pick: Phoenix
