Oklahoma City Thunder vs Phoenix Suns Picks and Predictions November 15th 2024

Thunder vs Suns November 15th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Thunder will take on the Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are currently favored by 7.5 points and have a record of 10-2. The Suns are 9-3 and have won two straight games. The over/under line for this game is 227.5.

This Western Conference matchup can be seen on AZFa. The Suns are currently 3rd in the Western Conference, while the Thunder are in 1st place. The Thunder are -320 on the moneyline, while the Suns are +256.

Suns vs. Thunder Key Information

The Suns fell to 9-3 on the season after a 127-104 road loss to the Kings on Wednesday. Phoenix entered the game as +8 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 23 points. The total score of 231 points exceeded the O/U line of 225.5 by 5.5 points.

Sacramento’s 11-0 run early in the game pushed the score from 40-34 to 51-34. Phoenix won the 2nd quarter 27-26, but the Kings pulled away by outscoring the Suns 32-24 in the 3rd and 34-24 in the 4th.

The Suns struggled offensively in their 127-104 loss to the Kings, shooting just 37.1% from the field and 30.2% from beyond the arc. They connected on 13 threes, with Josh Okogie hitting 3 at a 75% clip.

Okogie led the way with 25 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the floor. Devin Booker added 18 points, scoring 9 in the 2nd quarter.

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The Suns struggled defensively on Wednesday, giving up 127 points to the Kings, who shot 64% from the field. Phoenix allowed 35 points in the 1st quarter and 34 in the 4th, with Sacramento scoring 32 in the 3rd.

From beyond the arc, the Kings hit 15 threes at a 53% clip. The Suns sent them to the line 17 times, where they made 12 free throws. Phoenix recorded 12 steals and 2 blocks in the game.

The Thunder improved to 10-2 on the season with a 106-88 win over the Pelicans on Wednesday. Playing at home, Oklahoma City entered the game as -14.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 194, well below the O/U line of 224.5.

Oklahoma City went on a decisive 16-0 run, extending the score from 61-59 to 77-59. They held the Pelicans to just 18 points in the 3rd quarter and 20 in the 4th, while scoring 28 and 24 points, respectively.

Jalen Williams led the Thunder to a win over the Pelicans, scoring 31 points and hitting 4 threes at 57.1% shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 29 points, with 13 coming in the 3rd quarter.

Oklahoma City made 15 threes at a 38.5% rate, with Dort connecting on 3 of them at 60% shooting. The team’s overall FG% was 44.3%.

The Thunder put on a defensive clinic against the Pelicans, holding them to just 88 points on Wednesday. After giving up 28 points in the 1st quarter, Oklahoma City tightened up, allowing only 22 in the 2nd, 18 in the 3rd, and 20 in the 4th.

Overall, the Thunder held the Pelicans to 39% shooting from the field, including just 24% from beyond the arc, where New Orleans made only 9 threes. The Pelicans also went 11/17 from the free-throw line. Defensively, the Thunder recorded 16 steals and 7 blocks.

For a point-spread wager in this Thunder vs. Suns game, we suggest taking the Suns at +7.5. Even though our predictions have the Thunder winning 100-99, we see the Suns as the better choice on the point-spread.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 227.5, and our model predicts the Suns and Thunder to score a combined 199 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Booker, Suns Seek NBA Cup Momentum Against Defensive-Minded Thunder

Matchup: Phoenix Suns (9-3) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-4)
When: Friday night
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
NBA Cup Group: West Group B

Friday night’s showdown between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder will be pivotal in the NBA Cup’s West Group B, with both teams aiming to set the tone for their tournament runs. Phoenix has already notched a win in group play, while the Thunder will be making their tournament debut on their home court.

Devin Booker Looking to Find His Groove

Phoenix’s star guard Devin Booker has been struggling with his shooting lately, especially in the absence of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Booker is shooting just 43.4 percent overall and 34 percent from deep on the season, and those numbers have dipped even lower over his last seven games. Without Durant, who’s out with a left calf strain, Booker has been the focal point of opposing defenses, which has limited his effectiveness.

In Wednesday’s 127-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings, Booker managed just 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting. Following that defeat, Booker admitted he needs to rely more on his teammates to create offense instead of trying to force the issue.

“I have to trust my teammates more,” Booker said. “I can’t do it all by myself, especially with teams focusing their defense on me.”

The Suns are also without Bradley Beal (left calf tightness) and Grayson Allen (right hamstring soreness). Allen has a chance to return Friday, but Beal remains out. Despite the injuries, the Suns are determined to make no excuses as they navigate this challenging stretch.

“We’re not looking for sympathy,” said guard Tyus Jones. “We have to play better, regardless of who’s on the floor.”

Thunder Thriving Despite Injuries

The Thunder enter Friday’s game riding a wave of confidence, having won their last two matchups despite missing key pieces. Oklahoma City’s defense has been among the stingiest in the NBA, holding opponents to 42.3 percent shooting, the lowest in the league, and forcing a league-high 19.5 turnovers per game.

Oklahoma City’s resilience has been tested by injuries, most notably the loss of Chet Holmgren, who is out for at least 10 weeks with a pelvic fracture. Without their 7-footer, head coach Mark Daigneault has pivoted to a smaller lineup, with Jalen Williams stepping up as a makeshift center. Williams has responded with two explosive performances, averaging 29.5 points on 61.8 percent shooting in the last two games.

“We’re playing smaller, but we’re leveraging our strengths,” Daigneault said. “It’s about maximizing what we do best and not getting bogged down by what we’re missing.”

Despite being undersized, the Thunder have been highly effective on both ends of the court, winning three of four games during their season-long six-game homestand.

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Key Matchups to Watch

1. Devin Booker vs. Thunder’s Perimeter Defense: Booker needs to break out of his shooting slump, but he’ll have to do it against one of the league’s top defensive teams. With Oklahoma City forcing turnovers at a high rate, Booker will need to be efficient and avoid playing into the Thunder’s hands.
2. Jalen Williams vs. Suns’ Interior Defense: With Chet Holmgren sidelined, Williams has taken on a bigger offensive role. His ability to score in the paint and stretch the floor will test Phoenix’s defense, which has struggled to contain versatile bigs.
3. Tyus Jones vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The matchup at point guard could be crucial. Jones has been thrust into a larger role with injuries to Phoenix’s stars, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains Oklahoma City’s most consistent offensive threat.

What’s at Stake

This game is crucial for both teams in NBA Cup West Group B play. For Phoenix, a win would keep them unbeaten in group play and give them momentum as they continue their four-game road trip. For Oklahoma City, a victory in their tournament opener would set the tone as they look to defend their home court and advance in the inaugural in-season tournament.

Prediction

The Thunder’s defensive tenacity and ability to capitalize on turnovers could prove too much for a shorthanded Suns squad that’s struggling to find offensive rhythm without Durant and Beal. With the home crowd behind them and Jalen Williams playing at an elite level, Oklahoma City has a slight edge.