Oct 25, 2022, 10:45 am ET in NBA
157 views
Read Time: 3 min

Expert Top Pick of the Day: Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns

Top Picks of the Day

The Warriors and Suns meet tonight in a Pacific Division matchup to decide first place. Golden State dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in the season opener but was then beaten by the Denver Nuggets at home.

On Sunday, they bounced back with a five-point win over the Sacramento Kings and now hit the road for the first time this season in Phoenix.

The Suns play at home for the second time after splitting a pair of games on the road, losing to the Portland Trailblazers in overtime and beating the Los Angeles Clippers.

In that game, Chris Paul became only the third player in NBA history to record more than 11,000 assists in a career during their 112-95 win.

                   

Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Schedule

 

  • Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
  • Time: 8:00 PM MDT
  • Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

    

Warriors Seek First Road Win

Golden State goes the road for the first time to face the defending Pacific Division champion Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The Warriors have been scoring a lot of points so far in this young season, averaging 125.3 points per game.

They’re also first in the league in scoring in the first half, at 66.7. They scored 89 points in the first half against the Sacramento Kings and have the offense running on all cylinders in the first three games.

Defense is where they need to improve, as the Warriors have allowed 120.7 points, with opponents shooting 47.5% from the field.

It will be very difficult for them to win a lot of games if they don’t concentrate on cleaning things up on the defensive end of the floor as they prepare to go on the road for five straight games starting this weekend.

 

Suns Can Take Division Lead

The Suns are currently tied with the Warriors and Clippers at 2-1 in the division and can take the lead outright with a victory at home. They hope they can repeat what they did last season when they ran away with the Pacific title after winning 64 games.

Phoenix is currently ranked 20th in the NBA with 110 points per game but is again solid on defense, where they allow 104.3 points, which is fourth in the league.

The Suns are unlike the three teams the Warriors have faced so far. They will slow the game down and run their half-court offense while limiting the Warriors’ possessions and taking advantage of their below-average defense.

                          

Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Odds Comparison

The Warriors are 4-1 against the spread in their last five NBA games against Phoenix, and the total managed to go under in six of their last seven games on the road against the Suns. Phoenix is 5-1 in their last six home games, and the total has gone under in 11 of their previous 13 games against the Warriors.

                         

  • Draftkings has Phoenix at -130, on a spread of -2.5, and the total is 225.5.  
  • FanDuel has Phoenix at -130, on a spread of -2, and the total is 225.5.
  • Caesars has Phoenix at -135, on a spread of -2.5, and the total is 225.5.

 

Godds Pick or Prediction of the Game

The Warriors have struggled on defense in the first three games and will be up against one of the toughest NBA teams in the league to beat on their home floor.

Golden State set a team record with 50 points in the second quarter against the Kings but won’t see numbers anywhere close to that against one of the league’s top defenses.

Godds Pick/Prediction: The Suns win, and the total stays under.