Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets

bleachernation.com

01 April 2023

Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns (42-35) enter their game against the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led Oklahoma City Thunder (38-40) on April 2, 2023 as a 4.5-point favorite. A point total of 234 is set for the game.

Suns vs. Thunder Odds

Suns odds to win: -200
Thunder odds to win: +170
Spread: Suns (-4.5)
Total: 234

Suns vs. Thunder Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

When: Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET
Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: BSOK and BSAZ

Who Will Win Suns vs. Thunder?

Suns and Thunder Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

In games this season they were favored by 4.5 points or more, the Suns have a 16-11-1 record against the spread.

The Thunder have a 22-10-1 record against the spread this season when an underdog by 4.5 points or more.

These two teams average a combined 230.9 points per game, 3.1 fewer points than the total of 234 set for this matchup.

Opponents of these teams have averaged a combined 227.9 points per game, 6.1 fewer than the point total for this game.

The average point total in Suns games this season is 9.1 fewer points than the over/under of 234 in this matchup.

Oklahoma City’s games this season have averaged a total of 233.9 points, 0.1 fewer than the point total in this matchup.

Phoenix is 38-36-3 against the spread this season.

So far this season, the Thunder have compiled a 45-32-1 record against the spread.

Suns Stats & Insights

The Suns average 113.5 points per game (18th in the league) while allowing 111.5 per contest (fourth in the NBA). They have a +154 scoring differential overall and outscore opponents by 2.0 points per game.

The Suns are ninth in the league at 44.2 rebounds per game. That’s 1.4 more than the 42.8 their opponents average.

Phoenix makes 12.2 three-pointers per game (13th in the league) compared to its opponents’ 11.5. It shoots 37.5% from deep while its opponents hit 35.7% from long range.

The Suns rank 18th in the NBA with 111.9 points scored per 100 possessions, and seventh in the league defensively with 110.0 points conceded per 100 possessions.

The Suns’ offense has been much better in home games (113.9 PPG) compared to their play on the road (113.0 PPG). Likewise, their defense has been better when playing at home (109.2 PPG allowed) compared to away games (113.6 PPG allowed).

Thunder Stats & Insights

The Thunder score 117.4 points per game (fifth in NBA) and allow 116.4 (19th in league) for a +79 scoring differential overall.

Oklahoma City records 43.6 rebounds per game (13th in league) while conceding 46.7 per contest to opponents. It is outrebounded by 3.1 boards per game.

The Thunder connect on 12.1 three-pointers per game (14th in the league) compared to their opponents’ 13.0. They shoot 35.7% from deep, and their opponents shoot 36.1%.

The Thunder’s 112.2 points per 100 possessions on offense rank 14th in the NBA, and the 111.3 points they allow per 100 possessions rank 11th in the league.

At home, Oklahoma City scores 121.1 points per game. Away, it scores 113.8.

Suns Key Players to Watch

The scoring leader for the Suns this season is Booker (among active players), who averages 28.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.

Deandre Ayton adds 18.0 points, 1.8 assists and 10.0 rebounds per outing. Chris Paul puts up 13.5 points, 9.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds a game.

The Suns get 1.5 three-pointers per game out of Damion Lee.

Paul picks pockets to the tune of 1.6 takeaways per game, and Bismack Biyombo records 1.4 rejections per contest.

Thunder Key Players to Watch

Josh Giddey holds a top spot on the Thunder rebounds and assists leaderboards, scoring 16.6 points a contest with 7.9 rebounds per game and 6.1 assists per game.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s per-game averages this season are 31.4 points, 5.4 assists and 4.8 rebounds.

Isaiah Joe knocks down 2.2 threes per game.

The Thunder’s defensive efforts get a boost from Gilgeous-Alexander (1.7 steals and 1.0 block per game).