Brooklyn limps into this one with a struggling offense and a 12-28 record, and the Suns sit comfortably at 25-17 while laying 8.5 tonight at Barclays Center at the time of writing. The Nets have been trying to find answers all season — they rank near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency and have one of the worst defenses in the league.
The Suns are currently –380 favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the point total set to 215.5. Below, I’ll break down tonight’s matchup and offer my prediction.
Phoenix Suns at Brooklyn Nets preview, prediction
The Nets have a few bright spots, though; Noah Clowney has looked good, and rookie point guard Egor Demin of BYU has been lights out from three, splashing 39.8% of his shots from downtown, a tremendous mark. Michael Porter Jr. has also been impressive, posting career-highs in multiple categories. Porter Jr. is clearly on the trade block and has been proving himself to be a valuable piece thus far this season. Many contending teams could use a 6’10 off-ball sniper with his type of elite scoring prowess.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has leaned into a well-rounded identity this season and sits with a 25-17 record. Devin Booker has been the engine of that group, leading the Suns in scoring with 25.3 PPG. Dillon Brooks has been contributing more than he has before on other teams, with monstrous defensive energy while shooting 44.5% from the floor, which is a career-high mark for the veteran. To call Brooks’ impact on this team a pleasant surprise would be an understatement, and it’s clear that Brooks is a catalyst of winning basketball, as evidenced by his results in Memphis, Houston, and now Phoenix.
Despite losing Kevin Durant, Phoenix sits squarely in the playoff picture and is certainly on the hunt for a playoff run, especially with Jalen Green returning from injury soon. I’m expecting them to roll through the Nets today.
Thunder at Rockets pick, best bet
Best bet: Phoenix Suns Moneyline -380
We aren’t exactly getting tremendous odds for a Suns victory tonight, but it feels assured. The Nets’ have a porous defense and will be without one of their best three point shooters tonight in Demin. Their victory is a tough ask against a Suns squad that can move the ball and punish open looks. Furthermore, Jalen Green is Questionable to suit up tonight, but his presence would swing this Moneyline even more in the Suns’ favor. Get in before Green’s status is confirmed, but either way, I think the Suns will handily take this one.
