Suns vs Thunder Predictions & Odds (March 19)

Mar 16, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball towards the Toronto Raptors within the first half at Scotiabank Area. Necessary Credit score: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports activities

• Phoenix is a slim 2-point street favourite within the Suns vs Thunder odds on Sunday, March nineteenth
• Kevin Durant continues to be sidelined for the Suns with an ankle harm
• Get the Suns vs Thunder odds and predictions, plus the newest harm information for every group

With below a month left within the NBA common season, it’s crunch for these groups battling for playoff positioning. For the Phoenix Suns, first place within the division is slipping out of attain and it seems doubtless they’ll slot into 4th spot within the West.

It’s a very totally different story for his or her opponent on Sunday, March nineteenth, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Solely 4 wins separate the fifth place squad from twelfth place within the Western Convention, with OKC proper within the thick of issues in ninth.

Tipoff for this sport is about for 3:30 pm ET from the Paycom Middle in Oklahoma Metropolis with every cities regional Bally Sports activities community broadcasting the sport. The Suns defeated the Thunder 132-101 final week and are as soon as once more the chalk within the NBA odds this time round.

Suns vs Thunder Odds

Phoenix snapped a 3 sport dropping skid of their final contest, defeating Orlando 116-113. That was solely their 2nd win in 5 video games since Kevin Durant bought injured within the warm-up earlier than his scheduled house debut for the Suns that didn’t come to fruition towards Oklahoma Metropolis.

Regardless of lacking the Straightforward Cash Sniper, the Suns received that sport simply, 132-101. As soon as once more, the Suns are the favorites towards OKC, laying 2-points. One massive distinction within the lineups in comparison with the final time they met, is that the NBA’s fifth main scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is anticipated to be enjoying for the Thunder.

Odds as of March 18th at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Gilgeous-Alexander on Fireplace Since Return to Lineup

Coming off their first loss with their MVP within the lineup since he returned from harm, the Thunder want each victory they will get down the stretch. Gilgeous-Alexander, who was already being talked about within the NBA MVP odds when he went out of the lineup in February, has taken his scoring to a different stage since returning to well being.

https://t.co/wWGNmWnCY9’s up to date MVP Ladder:

1. Joel Embiid
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Luka Doncic
6. Domantas Sabonis
7. Julius Randle
8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
9. James Harden
10. Devin Booker

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) March 17, 2023

He has averaged 34 factors per sport on 55.1% taking pictures from the sphere within the 5 video games he’s been energetic for this month, serving to propel the Thunder to a 4-1 document in these video games. With out him, OKC owns only a 2-2 mark in March.

It’s crunch time for the Thunder as they appear to qualify for the postseason for the primary time in three years. Ending anyplace from fifth to twelfth continues to be life like in a really crowded Western Convention playoff image.

Western Convention Standings

**Previous to Saturday’s Video games**

On the season, the Thunder have introduced the most effective bang on your buck of any group within the Affiliation when wagering on them to win straight up. Regardless that they’re below .500, underdog odds have paid off fairly effectively, and OKC have been returning 16.55% in your funding should you’ve taken them each sport on the moneyline this yr.

Suns Struggling Since Durant Went Down

It didn’t seem as if Durant’s harm would section them a lot, because the Suns destroyed the Thunder by 31 factors the evening he bought injured. Since then, it’s been a little bit of a catastrophe.

“There are not any title aspirations which might be cheap for the Phoenix Suns with out Kevin Durant. … If he ain’t there, they do not have a snowball’s probability in hell.”

—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/xD1TO4c5J7

— First Take (@FirstTake) March 9, 2023

Phoenix misplaced three in a row, with none of these defeats being that shut, earlier than squeaking out a 3 level victory over Orlando at house on Thursday. They’ve didn’t cowl in 4 straight video games. In relation to the NBA championship odds, the Suns have slipped again to being the third betting favourite after this poor stretch of play.

Offensively, they’ve come again right down to Earth since their first 4 video games within the month the place they scored 125 or extra factors in three video games. They’ve didn’t hit the 120 mark in 4 video games since, little doubt hindered by the lack of Durant.

Suns vs Thunder Prediction

Whereas Phoenix undoubtedly doesn’t need to slide out of the highest 4, this sport is considerably extra vital to the Thunder. They’ve misplaced in each head-to-head assembly with the Suns this yr, however each of these have been on the street, the place OKC is 13-21 this yr versus a 21-15 mark at house.

Suns vs Thunder Latest Outcomes

The Suns have completely owned the Thunder over the past couple years, going 7-1 towards OKC of their final eight conferences, however that solely loss got here on the street and the Thunder are 2-1 ATS in these contests on their very own court docket. As well as, the Thunder are 4-0 ATS of their final 4 house video games.

Each groups haven’t performed since Thursday, giving them every two full days off between video games. Though they sport one of many youngest squads within the league, additional relaxation has proved helpful to the Thunder this marketing campaign, as they’ve gone 10-5-1 ATS with at the least two days off, versus a 6-8-1 ATS mark for the Suns in the identical scenario.

Not solely are we choosing the Thunder to cowl within the NBA odds, however our prediction is that they win this sport outright and take some revenge for that brutal loss to the Suns final week.

Choose: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder Moneyline (+115)

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