The Golden State Warriors are not exactly flying into the playoffs looking like another unstoppable group. While Golden State is the defending champion and is certainly going to be a handful for any team in the postseason, injuries have taken their toll of late and the Warriors are limping to the finish line as the regular season winds down.
They have some ointment for that next time out as the Warriors will go on the road to take on the woeful Phoenix Suns. Phoenix has the worst record in the NBA and figures to put up little resistance in this matchup despite playing at home.
Golden State wants to shake off its poor play and get back to the well-oiled machine everyone knows it can be. A blowout win against the Suns would be a good start in NBA basketball wagering.
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Odds Analysis
The Warriors are 57-22 straight up and 33-45-1 against the spread. Golden State has covered in 17 of 39 attempts on the road this season. The Warriors are 32-41-1 against the spread as the favorite on the year.
The Suns are 20-59 straight up and 36-41-2 against the spread. Phoenix has gone 14-24-1 against the spread at home on the season and will aim to improve on that. The Suns are 35-39-1 against the spread as the underdog.
Injury Report
The Warriors are without superstar point guard Stephen Curry as he will be out for the rest of the regular season and some of the playoffs with a knee sprain. He is an integral part of the team, averaging 26.4 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds per contest on the year. Curry is shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three-point range.
Curry has progressed to riding an exercise bike and is hoping to get back as soon as possible, but he won’t be playing in this one. The Warriors will also be without guard Patrick McCaw who is dealing with a bone bruise.
While Golden State is short-handed in the backcourt, at least it has most of its stars back on the court. There was a point in time when Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were all missing time because of various injuries.
The latter trio is back which should help Golden State win this game.
Player To Watch
Devin Booker -- The Suns’ best chance at covering the spread will be if their star shooting guard can play. Booker has missed 10 straight games with a sprained hand but it would be a plus if he can play at least one final game in front of the home crowd before the season is over.
Phoenix doesn’t have a lot of talent but Booker is a burgeoning star. He is averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest this season. Booker is shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range, but is hampered by the fact that he has to create most of his own looks because there is a dearth of playmakers around him.
See if Booker will be available for this one. If he is, Phoenix may be a little bit competitive. Without him the Suns have almost no chance at winning over Golden State.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Warriors have lost eight of their past 14 games to fall off the pace of the top-seeded Rockets, and will enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed. Coach Steve Kerr was none too pleased with the team’s effort last time out in a loss to the Pacers, calling it pathetic.
That should get Golden State’s attention and the team should be more inspired in this one. Look for the Warriors to claim an easy win in NBA basketball odds.
NBA Odds: Warriors 125, Suns 105
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