Predicting the Phoenix Suns in 2019-20 vs the Northwest Division
By Adam Maynes
Northwest Division
Oklahoma City Thunder
*In a strange quirk of scheduling fate, the Phoenix Suns played the Oklahoma City Thunder seven times in the calendar year of 2018 and have yet to play them in 2019.
Since Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder high and dry three seasons ago, Phoenix has actually fared fairly well against the Thunder, tying the regular season series in 2016-17, falling 2-1 two seasons ago, and while swept by Russell Westbrook and Co. last season, the Suns played OKC fairly competitive each time out.
However, with the trades of Westbrook and Paul George, even with the acquisition of Chris Paul (who they are also trying to flip for picks), the Thunder are in full tank mode and will be an easy target for every other team in the league who needs a nice pick-me-up on occasion.
Although 34-years old, Chris Paul is still a very good point guard, Oklahoma City still has Steven Adams, and the franchise has added Mike Muscala, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Danilo Gallinari, so while they will be much easier to beat, they will not necessarily be a complete and total pushover.
That said, the Suns are a better team than the Thunder are now, and Phoenix will be able to beat them at least a couple of times.
Barring something entirely unexpected, if the Suns and Thunder face each other four times this season, Phoenix will win three.