Game: Brooklyn Nets @ Phoenix Suns
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Odds: Nets -1.5, Suns +1.5
Total: 223.5
Kyrie Irving’s status will play a role in whether or not Brooklyn can win at Phoenix tonight. Irving was unable to play on Tuesday when Brooklyn lost to the San Antonio Spurs 106-98. It was the first game in a five-game road trip for the Nets. Irving missed the game due to right calf pain. He is currently listed as probable for tonight and that is one of the reasons why the Nets are a short road favorite.
The Nets are already without leading scorer Kevin Durant, who has missed three games already and isn’t expected back for a while. Since Durant has been out, the Nets have lost three straight games. Against the Spurs on Tuesday, the Nets only managed 15 points in the first quarter and 17 in the third. They made 21 turnovers and shot a pitiful 3-of-23 (13 percent) from beyond the three-point arc. T.J. Warren led the club in scoring with 19 points in the San Antonio defeat.
Some are comparing the Nets’ current situation to last year. At one point last season, the Nets were without Durant, Irving, and James Harden, who was still with the Nets at the time. Brooklyn struggled without its stars last season.
The Suns have similar issues and that is why they have lost 12 of their last 14 games. The Suns have been without leading scorer Devin Booker for 11 games now. Booker suffered a groin injury and his 27.1 points per game have been sorely missed. Phoenix is now 3-13 in games that Booker has missed this season.
Monday was another example of the Suns’ current plight. They lost 136-106 to Memphis. The only good thing is now the Suns begin a five-game home stand. Phoenix has played well at home this season going 14-7 in 21 games at the Footprint Center.
The Suns were also without Chris Paul (hip), Cameron Payne (foot), Cameron Johnson (knee), and Josh Okogie (nose) during the game against the Grizzlies. Paul’s status for tonight is uncertain. He could miss his sixth straight game. Payne, Okogie, and Landry Shamet are all out for tonight. Johnson has been upgraded to probable. This will be Payne’s seventh straight game that he has missed.
Last year, Phoenix swept both of its meetings with the Nets. Booker averaged 32.5 points in the two games. The Suns are now 1-9 SU and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games. Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in their last five home games.
Brooklyn has lost its last three in a row, but the Nets are 14-4 SU in their last 18 games. They are also 10-4 SU in their last 14 against the Suns. The Nets are one of the top Under teams in the NBA this season. The Nets O/U record is 17-26 this season and their last six games in a row have seen the total go Under. Only the Clippers (18-29) have a higher Under percentage (61.7%) this season.
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