Suns vs. Nets NBA expert prediction and odds for Wednesday, Jan. 31

The Brooklyn Nets will welcome Kevin Durant back to the Barclays Center for the first time since the two-time Finals MVP requested a trade from the organization last February.

The Nets and Suns meet with Phoenix starting to look like the contender it had hoped to be when it acquired Durant from Brooklyn, while the Nets are still trying to put the pieces together of a new-look roster, one that may not have Ben Simmons in the lineup yet again just one game back from a back injury.

With Simmons' status in question, how should we bet on this highly anticipated matchup? We got you covered with our full betting breakdown below!

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Suns Injury Report

Nets Injury Report

Suns

Kevin Durant: The former Nets wing is still playing at an All-NBA level, averaging 28 points per game, six rebounds, and five assists on 53/45/87 shooting splits. The Suns are playing its best ball at the moment, and Durant has been the symbol of consistency.

Nets

Cam Thomas: No, Thomas didn't arrive in the Phoenix haul, but he's emerged as Brooklyn's best offensive player this season. With Finney-Smith on the sidelines, Thomas is back in the starting role where he is averaging close to 23 points per game.

The Suns have been an under team all season, likely inflated in the market due to the upside of its offense, and I'm going to stick with it against Brooklyn, who has been a disaster on offense since the calendar flipped to January.

While Simmons' return showed some upside on offense against the Jazz, he's likely not going to go on Wednesday as the team eases him back into a rotation role, meaning the offense is likely going to struggle yet again. In January, the Nets are 25th in points per 100 possessions as the team has slid in the standings, 4-9 overall.

However, Brooklyn's defense has been strong as the team has changed its scheme to focus on more switching around big man Nic Claxton. The Nets are sixth in points allowed per 100 possessions over the past month.

This number is counting on fireworks, but given that the pace will be below average, I'll opt for the under as my favorite play in Durant's return to the Barclays Center.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.