Phoenix Suns Christmas Game vs Golden State Warriors Odds, Prediction
Phoenix Suns fans might hope to unwrap a Red Ryder BB Gun or a Turbo Man doll this Christmas morning, but all the while, their most desired gift has to be a win over the Golden State Warriors this afternoon.
Even with this contest ending Phoenix’s 12-year Christmas Day drought, it still carries significant weight with regard to the NBA as a whole. The Suns and Warriors currently own the league’s two best records, having also taken one game against each other already this season.
Whoever walks away with the dub today secures sole possession of the league’s top record, and owns the tie-breaker at least until late March when these two juggernauts face off for a final time.
Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors Odds, Moneyline, Over/Under
According to WynnBET, Phoenix enters this game favored by a -5.5 point spread. Their moneyline odds are at -230, and the game’s over/under currently sits at 217.5 points.
The Suns essentially played both their earlier contests against the Warriors this year without their best player in Devin Booker. Since coming back from his hamstring injury, Book finds himself riding a heater, averaging 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 53.8 percent from beyond the arc.
The fact that the Suns managed to split their series so far with Golden State despite missing all that production argues that this time around, Phoenix will pull ahead and break this standstill. The five and a half point cushion for the Warriors still pays them some respect though, with Steph Curry capable of making any game close within a matter of minutes.
Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors Lineups
With their players having avoided the mass exodus into health and safety protocols, Phoenix looks like a more put together group than almost every other NBA team right now. Frank Kaminsky remains out with a leg injury, but their starting five will look familiar.
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: Deandre Ayton
Everyone hoped to see Klay Thompson might make his return for Golden State during this game, but he remains out for at least another week. The Warriors also just lost Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole to health and safety protocols. With all that, Steve Kerr threw together a makeshift lineup that still carved out a win vs a gritty Memphis Grizzlies team the other night, so expect him to roll with it again.
- PG: Stephen Curry
- SG: Gary Payton II
- SF: Otto Porter Jr.
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: Kevon Looney
Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors Prediction
With the Warriors shorthanded and the Suns firing on all cylinders, all signs point to a Phoenix victory today.
Only a massive outing from Curry wins this game for Golden State, but between his two games against the Suns earlier this year, he averaged 17.5 points while shooting 29.5 percent from the field, largely thanks to the Mikal Bridges’s defensive prowess.
If anyone slows down Chef Curry, it’s the Suns, and by chopping down this central pillar holding up the Warriors right now, Phoenix brings their entire structure crashing down. In doing that, the Suns coast to a relatively easy victory, covering their spread and improving their Christmas Day record to 13-6.
Final: Phoenix Suns 99, Golden State Warriors 90
Phoenix Suns Up Next
Just two days after this bout, Phoenix hosts Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies for another fun matchup between two young and talented teams.
Next. Top 8 Christmas Day Moments for the Suns. dark
Despite losing their last three games, the Grizz represent a quality challenge for the Suns. In their last 10 contests, they still own the league’s fourth best net rating at +7.4, right behind Phoenix at +8.5. The Suns then close out their year with another game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and then one on the road against the Boston Celtics.