Phoenix Suns Game Tonight vs Oklahoma City Thunder Odds, Prediction

The Phoenix Suns find themselves with two more games before closing out the year, set to battle the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight on their home floor.

With Phoenix missing Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, and head coach Monty Williams once again, they head into this one shorthanded, but certainly still expected to win. The Thunder sit toward the Western Conference’s basement, while the Suns remain a half game away from first place.

Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder Odds, Moneyline, Over/Under

According to WynnBET, the Suns enter this game favored at a -14.5 point spread. Their moneyline odds are at -1600, and the game’s over/under is currently at 218.5 points.

With the Suns worlds away from the Thunder in the standings, their massive point spread holds up. At the same time, the Thunder just played last night, so coming into this game without much rest does them no favors as well.

The over/under looks a bit smaller as well, largely due to Oklahoma City’s quick turnaround and Phoenix missing Ayton and Crowder, which made their offense look stagnant to start their previous game vs the Memphis Grizzlies.

Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder Lineups

The Suns indeed lost Ayton and Crowder, but since then they have yet to subject any other players to health and safety protocols (knock on wood). With that, their lineup should look the same as it did on Monday night.

• PG: Chris Paul
• SG: Devin Booker
• SF: Mikal Bridges
• PF: Cameron Johnson
• C: JaVale McGee

The Thunder are dealing with their own COVID-19 issues, with normal starters Josh Giddey and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl unavailable tonight. They went small during their last game, and likely have no choice but to do so again tonight.

• PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• SG: Aaron Wiggins
• SF: Paul Watson
• PF: Luguentz Dort
• C: Isaiah Roby

Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction

Against most teams, losing Ayton might put the Suns in a vulnerable situation. However, the Thunder do not carry enough firepower to make Phoenix bleed, even without a star player.

Watch for Chris Paul to carve up this young team like a butcher, and Devin Booker to attack without hesitancy. The Thunder will not be able to stop them, allowing Phoenix to coast to the finish, where they cover their spread.

Final: Phoenix Suns 112, Oklahoma City Thunder 95

Phoenix Suns Up Next

Following this game, the Suns hit the road on New Year’s Eve, taking on the Boston Celtics for a final time this year.

During their earlier game, Phoenix saw fantastic contributions come from their role players to survive a game without Booker. As it stands now though, the Celtics look like a team still searching for its identity, embodying a play-in team one night, and then a Conference Finals contender the next.

Hopefully Phoenix gets Ayton and Crowder back by then, but even if not, the Celtics represent a team easier to attack especially without Ayton. With only Al Horford down low, they lack a true center, making Ayton’s absence more feasible to deal with than in a typical scenario.