Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Golden State Warriors travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Monday, December 31, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Golden State as 9 point favorites.

The Warriors have a record of 24-13. They are 1st in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of 4.1 as they average 115.4 points per game while giving up 111.3 per contest. The Suns have an overall mark of 9-28. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They total 105.4 points per contest and give up 113.9, which is a point differential of -8.6.

Valuable Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors are 15-22-0 against the spread

The Golden State Warriors are 18-19-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 17-20-0 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 16-21-0 against the over/under

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

12/02/18 C Damian Jones Shoulder is out indefinitely
10/11/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/30/18 G Devin Booker Back is questionable Monday vs Golden State

Player Spotlight

Kevin Durant averages 28.6 points per game in 35.9 minutes per contest. He averages 6.2 assists per contest and 7.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 92%. Klay Thompson comes into this contest averaging 21.2 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 25.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 36.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.0 rebounds per contest and 7.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 85%. T.J. Warren averages 18.6 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Warriors allow 111.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.5 rebounds a game which ranks 7th, and they give up 24.2 assists per contest which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in the league. Golden State averages 115.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.1 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 46.0 rebounds per game and 27.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 10th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 14.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Suns surrender 113.9 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.4 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 45.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game. Phoenix is 26th in the league with 105.4 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -8.6. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 41.1 boards per game and 18th in assists per contest with 24.0. The Suns are 2nd in turnovers per game with 15.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Warriors are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 114, and their defensive rating of 110 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 2nd. As a team they are 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Golden State is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 2nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 5th in the league. The Suns are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.7, and their defensive rating of 113.2 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Warriors/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Phoenix +9

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