The Phoenix Suns sure know how to find the bottom of the net. After mercilessly drowning the Los Angeles Lakers in points, the Suns hope that their hands are still red hot when they welcome the San Antonio Spurs Thursday for their first true big test of this season. Will the Spurs keep on rolling following their win over the Dallas Mavericks? Or will the Suns be too hot to handle for the defending champs?
In another matchup, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Sacramento Kings meet in an intriguing battle between two teams, which features some of the brightest young talents in the NBA. You can read a preview of that game here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix
When: Friday, October 31, 10:00PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-1.5) at Phoenix Suns (+1.5); total: 206.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
Those old jokes are getting old, really. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili picked up from where they left off last season and led the Spurs to a 101-100 win Tuesday over the Dallas Mavericks for their first win of the season.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Duncan had a double-double gem against the Mavs with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He’s likely to clear those numbers against Phoenix, which is a guard-heavy team with a soft frontline. The Spurs ability to score inside plays right into Phoenix’s lackluster interior defense, which allowed opponents to score 45.5 PPG in the shaded area last season.
Conversely, the Spurs put up 45.6 PPG inside the shaded area back in their 2013-2014 campaign. Parker, meanwhile, should be a big headache for Suns guards. The spitfire guard played tremendous all-around basketball in the season opener, knocking down all four of his three-point attempts and scoring seven points on drives to the basket on his way to a huge 23-point night.
If Kawhi Leonard (eye) plays on Friday, Marco Belinelli will be moved back to the bench, meaning the Spurs relievers may be on their way to hitting their league-best 44.3 bench PPG last season. Belinelli played as small forward against Dallas, scoring 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Ginobili led all relievers with 20 of the bench’s 36 points total.
The Spurs are 3-0 ATS in their last three road games.
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Betting on the Phoenix Suns
The bar has been raised for the Suns after a surprising 48-win season. With the way they played in their decisive 119-99 win over the LA Lakers Wednesday, it looks like Jeff Hornacek and his crew is bound for more success. The Suns’ first true obstacle, however, awaits them at home when they host defending champion, San Antonio.
Powered by a loaded group of guards, the Suns were able to dominate Los Angeles. The duo of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe combined for 34 points and 11 assists, while newcomer Isaiah Thomas came off the bench and fired a team-high 23 markers, going 5-for-7 beyond the arc and 9-for-11 from the field overall. Thomas will play a key role versus the Spurs as his ability to provide instant offense and make plays while on the floor for the second unit gives Phoenix the confidence to match up with San Antonio’s vaunted relievers.
The Suns don’t have a solid presence down low, but in a team filled with excellent outside shooters, expect Miles Plumlee and Alex Len to focus more on containing the Spurs’ frontline and protecting the rim against San Antonio’s cutters. They can find open looks, though, especially if stretch-four Marcus Morris and the Suns’ backcourt begin finding their rhythm from the three-point region just as they did against LA.
The Suns made it rain in Arizona on Wednesday, drilling 16 of their 32 three-point shots. Morris knocked in a career-high five threes, Bledsoe drained three, and Tolliver buried two.
Dating back to last season, the Suns are 5-2 in their last seven games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Phoenix wins, 102-98.
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