After going 2-2 across their last four, the Phoenix Suns will look to close out their five-game East Coast road trip with a victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
My Suns vs. Nets predictions expect newly-acquired big man Nick Richards to have a big game on the road as he thrives in his starting role. Read my NBA picks to see why you should take the Over on Naughty Nicky’s combo prop on Wednesday, January 22.
Suns vs Nets prediction
My best bet
Nick Richards Over 18.5 points + rebounds + assists (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
Nick Richards was traded from Charlotte last week to fill a sorely-needed void at center for the Phoenix Suns, and he’s made an immediate impact in two games with his new team. Tonight, I expect him to shine in a favorable matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.
In two games since arriving in Phoenix, Richards has logged 51 total minutes, while all other Suns centers have combined for just 36. Richards finished with 21/11/1 in his Phoenix debut but finished with just 4/4/1 in his last game out.
The Suns were routed 118-92 by the Cavs in their last game out, and Richards played just 22 minutes. He should see more playing time tonight in a more competitive affair.
Between his time with the Hornets and Suns, Richards has logged at least 25 minutes in nine games this season. He hit the Over on this line in each of those nine games while averaging 28.2 PRAs.
Richards appeared in 47 such games a season ago and averaged 20.4 PRAs. He hit the Over on this line in 30 of them.
Richards hasn’t always seen big minutes, but he’s been efficient with his allotted playing time. Since 2022-23, Naughty Nicky has averaged 28.3 PRAs per 36 minutes.
The Nets have allowed a healthy 41.5 PRAs to centers this season, and over the last seven, they’ve allowed 42.1. Brooklyn’s starting center, Nic Claxton, has a defensive rating of 112.1 this season, the worst of his career.
Brooklyn sports the sixth-worst defensive rating on the season, and the Nets’ interior defense is vulnerable, allowing the 11th-most points in the paint across the last 10.
I’m confident in Richards playing 25 or more minutes tonight and cashing this modest PRAs line. He’s locked into the starting center gig with his new team and gets a great matchup on the road.
Suns vs Nets same-game parlay
Nick Richards Over 18.5 points + rebounds + assists
Nets +12
Devin Booker Over 25.5 points
The Nets have covered in only seven of 16 games as double-digit underdogs this year, but are on a 3-1 run. The Suns are 0-4 ATS as double-digit favorites.
Brooklyn took the Knicks down to the wire last night and covered in a tightly-fought contest. I expect the Nets to cover again when they face a Suns team that is just 14-27-1 ATS this season.
Devin Booker has averaged 30.6 points per game across his last eight, hitting the Over on this scoring line six times. Prior to his 15-point showing in a blowout loss to Cleveland, he compiled five straight 30-point games.
He’s averaged 26.1 points per game on the road compared to just 24.9 at home, and he’s scored at least 26 points in 19 of 37 appearances this season. Book scored 31 against the Nets in his first meeting with them this season, and I expect him to be productive on offense in the second meeting of the 2024-25 campaign.
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Suns vs Nets odds
Suns vs Nets live odds
Suns vs Nets opening odds
- Spread: Phoenix -11.5 (-110) | Brooklyn +11.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Phoenix +400 | Brooklyn -550
- Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Suns vs Nets spread and Over/Under analysis
- Phoenix is just 2-4-1 ATS across its last seven.
- Brooklyn sports a 23-20-1 ATS record through 44 games.
- The Suns have gone 4-2-1 to the Over across their last seven, and Phoenix is 20-20-2 on the season.
- The Nets have hit the Over in five of the last 10, and the team is 22-22 this season.
Suns vs Nets trend
The road team has won in each of the last four head-to-head matchups between the Suns and Nets. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Nets.
How to watch Suns vs Nets
| Location | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |
| Date | Wednesday, 1-22-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | KTVK, YES |
Suns vs Nets latest injuries
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