Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Predictions, Picks and Preview – February 26, 2015

The wins just keep on rolling for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they recorded yet another victory Tuesday in a 13-point thrashing of the Indiana Pacers. They will look to grab their eighth-consecutive win when they square off with the Phoenix Suns who are finally back in the win column following their 14-point victory over the Denver Nuggets.

Read on below for a preview of this crucial Western Conference showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Chicago Bulls here.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Preview

Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix

When: Thursday, February 26, 10:30 PM ET

Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (-5) at Phoenix Suns (+5); total: 216.5 – view all NBA lines

Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City extended its unbeaten run to seven games with an emphatic 105-92 win Tuesday over the Indiana Pacers. It has been a fantastic stretch for the Thunder who are now just two games back of the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference.

[sc:NBA240banner ]Key to Oklahoma City’s sudden resurgence has been the superb play of star guard Russell Westbrook. The 26-year-old has been on fire after the All-Star break, averaging 27.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 11.8 assists in the Thunder’s last four games. He has had at least 10 dimes in those four outings.

He displayed his all-around brilliance in the game against the Pacers, recording yet another triple-double performance. Westbrook had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to post his third triple-double of the season and the 11th of his career.

It’s not just Westbrook, though, who is stepping up in Kevin Durant’s absence. Picking up the scoring slack for the Thunder are big men Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter who wreaked havoc against the Pacers inside the shaded lane.

Ibaka had 23 points and 10 rebounds while Kanter added 15 markers of his own. Kanter has been an excellent addition to the Oklahoma City lineup, averaging 15 points in three games since being acquired from Utah in last week’s trade deadline.

Ibaka and Kanter will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Phoenix side that is the second-worst team in the NBA in points allowed inside the paint this season. Suns opponents average a whopping 46.1 points per game inside the shaded area this campaign.

The Thunder are 3-2 SU and ATS in their last five games on the road.

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Betting on the Phoenix Suns

The losing rut is finally over.

The Phoenix Suns snapped their five-game losing skid Wednesday with a comprehensive 110-96 win over the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets. Six players scored in double figures for the Suns who climbed to within 2 ½ games of Oklahoma City for the coveted eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Brandon Knight showed why he was a prime target of the Suns this past trading deadline, scoring 19 points including two key late three-pointers that put the outcome of the game beyond doubt. Knight has been excellent so far in his brief stint with the Suns, averaging 17.3 points in three games with the club.

Eric Bledsoe also added 18 points for the Suns who also ended their seven-game road skid with the win. What proved to be the difference in this game, however, was Phoenix controlling the rebounding battle. The Suns grabbed a total of 65 boards, the highest in the NBA this season. That’s way above their season average of 43.0 RPG.

For the Suns to record a victory against the Thunder tonight, they will need to bring the exact same effort on the rebounding end. In their first two meetings with the Thunder this season, the Suns were outrebounded by the Thunder, 113-79. It’s no surprise then that Oklahoma City defeated Phoenix in both of those games.

The onus is on Alex Len, Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris to control the glass for Phoenix. They combined for 28 rebounds against the Nuggets, almost half the team’s total output. Duplicating that feat against the Thunder will be easier said than done, though, as Oklahoma City is no. 1 in the league in rebounding this season, averaging 47.4 boards per game.

The Suns are 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five home games.

Writer’s Prediction

Oklahoma City (-5) wins, 107-95.
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