Brooklyn Nets vs. Phoenix Suns odds, picks and predictions
The Brooklyn Nets continue their five-game homestand as they take on the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night at Barclays Center.
The game marks the return of 10-time All-Star and former NBA MVP Kevin Durant, who was traded from Brooklyn to Phoenix nearly a year ago to the day in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four future unprotected first-round picks.
After losing 18 of their last 22 games, the Nets have won back-to-back contests for the first time in over a month and are looking for their first three-game winning streak dating back to early December.
The Suns have won eight of their previous 10 games and are in the midst of a season-long seven-game road trip that concludes against the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Can Brooklyn play spoiler in KD’s return, or will the Suns come out on top? Here’s my betting breakdown on the spread, total and moneyline for this matchup.
Nets vs. Suns spread: Nets +3.5 (-110), Suns -3.5 (-110)
Even with their recent success, the Nets find themselves as home underdogs.
Brooklyn is 22-22-2 against the spread (ATS) this season but has been more successful covering at home (14-8-2) than it does on the road (8-14-2) as the All-Star Break nears.
Meanwhile, the Suns are the third-worst ATS team in 2023-24 and have not covered in six of their prior 10 games.
The Nets haven’t been much been better, going 3-6-1 ATS since Jan. 11
This one is close but I lean siding with the Suns here. There’s no denying they haven’t been great against the spread this year, however, they’ve covered this number in 12 of their past 15 wins and six of those victories coming away from Footprint Center.
The best price for Phoenix to cover this spread is at -110 (Bet $110 to win $100) on multiple sportsbooks.
Prediction: Suns -3.5 (-110)
Nets vs. Suns total: Over 232.5 points (-110), under 231.5 points (-110)
Of the game lines for Wednesday in the NBA, this matchup features one of the highest on the board.
With that being said, I’d bet on the under in this one.
The Nets have gone below this number in six of their prior nine games, and Phoenix has had 231 or fewer points scored in four of its past six contests.
When it comes to head-to-head meetings, these two teams are 7-3 to the under of this line, including five straight meetings dating back to Nov. 27, 2021 in Brooklyn.
Is there a chance this could be a shootout if the Nets offense stays hot? Potentially. But with the Nets coming off a season-best 147 points Monday night, I believe their offense will be due for major regression as the total stays below 233 points.
FanDuel Sportsbook has the highest number of 232.5 points if betting the under with a price of -110.
Prediction: Under 232.5 points (-110)
Nets vs. Suns moneyline: Nets (+136), Suns (-156)
There’s simply no denying how good Brooklyn looked its last time out in its 33-point win over the Jazz.
The Nets were also able to go to Phoenix and take care of business as a 4.5-point underdog in the first meeting on Dec. 13 with a fully healthy Suns team.
It should be noted though that was the last win before Brooklyn went on its horrid streak that saw its record drop from 13-10 to 19-27 in the span of a month and a half.
I do believe this Brooklyn team, especially with the return of Ben Simmons, can keep this one within striking distance.
However, the Suns will hold the Nets somewhat in check after their scorching hot performance. Durant will also break out of this so-called “slump”, as he scores more than 20 points for the first time in five games, leading Phoenix to victory in his return to Barclays Center.
The best available price for the Suns on the moneyline is at -136 (Bet $136 to win $100) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
