Thursday night NBA and I will have a Free Pick in the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors, which will take place at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The game has a start time of 10:30 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on TNT. Current Vegas betting odds have the Warriors listed as 11.5 point favorites, while the total is set at 209.5.
Analysis: The Phoenix Suns have really played themselves out of the playoffs of late, as they come in having lost their last 4 games in a row, which drops them to 4.5 games behind the Thunder for the 8th and final playoff spot in the West. Overall the Suns are 38-37, which includes a 17-19 mark on the road. Phoenix has gone 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points, but just 3-13-1 ATS in their last 17 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. The Suns have been a good offensive team this year, ranking 5th in scoring (103.5 ppg), 13th in shooting, 18th in 3 point shooting and 13th in FT shooting. Defensively the Suns have been poor this year, ranking 26th in points allowed (103.6 ppg), 18th in defensive FG% and 23rd in 3 point defense.
The Golden State Warriors come in with the best record in the NBA at 61-13 overall, which includes a 34-2 mark at home. The Warriors have won 15 of their last 16 games overall and have clinched the Pacific Division for the first time since 1976. Golden State has gone 22-8 ATS in their last 30 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, but just 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games playing on 1 days rest. The Warriors have been a very good offensive team this year, ranking 1st in scoring (109.8 ppg), 1st in shooting, 1st in 3 point shooting and 9th in FT shooting. Defensively the Warriors have been solid, ranking 14th in points allowed (98.9 ppg), 1st in defensive FG% and 5th in 3 point defense.
Pick: I will be going with the Warriors here. This is a team that just hasn't quit playing even though they have already wrapped up their division. The Warriors have won their last 10 games in a row and have outscored their opponents by 16.9 ppg over that stretch, while at home this year they have gone 34-2 SU and 25-10-1 ATS, outscoring their foes by 15.7 ppg on this floor. For the Suns they have really played themselves out of the playoffs and may now be running out of gas. Once the Warriors get up big, and they will, then I will look for Phoenix to just mail it in the rest of the way. This one has blowout written all over it, just like the last 2 meetings this year in which the Warriors won by 21 and 18 points.
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for NBA Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
NBA Free Picks: Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors Betting
What Pro basketball bettors need to know about betting Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors on Thursday (4/02/15) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Teddy Covers with added insight from Steve Fezzik.