The Phoenix Suns (9-17) clash with the Washington Wizards (13-11) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game will air on Fox Arizona Plus at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7, 2017.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 215.5 points with Washington set as an 8-point favorite.
Washington Wizards vs. Phoenix Suns Free Prediction
The last time the Wizards played, they topped the Portland Trail Blazers, 106-92. The Wizards forced 18 turnovers and held the Trail Blazers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.5 (below their season average of 24.2). With 51 points on 21-for-37 shooting, Bradley Beal was the game’s high scorer.
The Suns lost to the Toronto Raptors in their last matchup, 126-113. Toronto’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Raptors had more offensive rebounds (eight vs. zero) and total rebounds (42 vs. 35). Phoenix’s Devin Booker had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 19 points on 4-for-15 shooting.
It will be a matchup of contrasting styles as the fast-paced Suns will look to push the more half-court-oriented Wizards. The Suns rank second in possessions per game while the Wizards are 13th. The Wizards should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 3rd at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.5 percent), while the Suns force the third-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.1 percent).
Washington comes into the game with records of 13-11 straight up (SU) and 13-11 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Wizards are involved, as 16 of their 24 games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is 9-17 SU and 12-13-1 ATS. Unlike Washington, games involving the Suns tend to go over the O/U total (61.5 percent).
Booker has averaged 30.4 points and 5.4 rebounds over the last five games for Phoenix.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, T.J. Warren had 40 points and 10 rebounds and the Suns defeated the Wizards 122-116, covering as 11-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 238 points, which was 10 points above the projected point total of 228 points. The Suns made 31 of their 38 free throws (81.6 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (8.3 vs. 10.2).
Washington Wizards at Phoenix Suns Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Washington is 9-4 ATS on the road with 10 unders and 3 overs.
At home, Phoenix is 4-9 ATS with 7 overs and 6 unders.
When allowing below 100 points, Phoenix is 2-1 and Washington is 10-1.
The Wizards are 11-6 when they reach 100 points, while the Suns are 8-11.
Washington ranks third in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Phoenix ranks last (9.1).
The Suns average 13.4 second chance points per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Wizards rank 28th in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
Washington ranks 11th in fast break points allowed per game (10.4) while Phoenix ranks last (14.3).
The Suns rank fifth in points in the paint per game (47.8) while the Wizards rank 23rd (41.1).
Phoenix averages 46.2 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Washington ranks 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (44.0).
The Wizards rank 10th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.4) while the Suns rank 26th (19.7).
Phoenix averages 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. Washington ranks 17th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
The Wizards rank 20th in assists per game (21.8) while the Suns rank 27th (20.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Washington is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Phoenix is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Wizards have been outscored by an average of 3.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Washington has defeated opponents by an average of 2.3 points.
During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 110.0 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 114.6 points per game (1.1 below their season average).
