The NBA Cup is underway, and Friday brings the second set of group play games. The Phoenix Suns are off to a 1-0 start and will travel to take on the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder in what could be the deciding game of their group.
However, with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal out and Jusuf Nurkic at least limited, the Thunder's injuries in the front court may not rear their ugly heads tonight, as explained in my Suns vs. Thunder predictions.
Keep reading my NBA picks for Friday, November 15 below.
Suns vs Thunder prediction
My best bet
Thunder -7.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Despite being without big men Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Oklahoma City Thunder have managed to win both of their games this week, blowing out the Pelicans and getting the best of the Clippers.
They'll host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, and they've had injury issues of their own of late. Kevin Durant is out for the time being, and co-star Bradley Beal has also been declared out for Friday.
Making matters worse is Jusuf Nurkic's ankle injury, which kept him out of Tuesday's game and limited him to just 15 and 22 minutes in their other two games this week. Mason Plumlee has picked up those minutes but hasn't done much outside of a singular 15-point performance against the three-win Jazz — his highest point total since March 2023.
Plumlee managed just seven total points across the other two games, demonstrating his inability to chip in as a scorer even with key scorers missing.
The Pelicans were also ultimately unable to take advantage of the Thunder's injuries on Wednesday night, given their own injuries in the front court, and that ultimately led them to an 18-point loss. And while the Suns are tangibly much better than the Pelicans on paper, that difference might be negligible on Friday when considering who's available.
Suns vs Thunder same-game parlay
Thunder -7.5
Tyus Jones Over 2.5 rebounds
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 6.5 assists
Due to the injuries and lack of depth in the front court, the Thunder have quietly given up a lot of boards to opposing point guards as opposing teams easily shield out OKC's big men and open up those opportunities on the glass for the rest of the team.
That's why Tyus Jones' rebounding prop sits just a touch above a mark he's failed to hit in six straight games, but that should not scare us away, given the unique context of tonight's game.
Speaking of Jones, one thing he and the rest of the Suns do well is disrupt opposing point guards and their passing lanes. This leads to just 7.4 assists per game allowed to the position per game, the second-lowest mark in the league.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will likely find ways to impact the game elsewhere, he should see a lower assist total than usual.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Suns vs Thunder odds
Suns vs Thunder live odds
Suns vs Thunder opening odds
- Spread: Phoenix +6.5 | Oklahoma City -6.5
- Moneyline: Phoenix +220 | Oklahoma City -270
- Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Suns vs Thunder spread and Over/Under analysis
- Phoenix's 4-8 record against the spread is good for the fourth-lowest cover rate in the NBA.
- The Thunder are 8-4 ATS this year and have gone 4-3 as a home favorite.
- The Suns are 8-4 to the Over this year, good for the fourth-highest Over rate this season.
- OKC is an even 6-6 on totals and has gone 2-2 O/U on totals at or above tonight's number.
- Phoenix has gone 6-0 to the Over in games at or below tonight's total.
Suns vs Thunder trend
The Thunder have covered the spread in 18 of their last 26 games for +9.20 units and a 32% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Thunder.
How to watch Suns vs Thunder
| Location: | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date: | Friday, 11-15-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FanDuel Sports Network - Oklahoma, Arizona's Family 3TV / Arizona's Family Sports |
Suns vs Thunder latest injuries
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