NBA Christmas: Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Golden State Warriors visit the Phoenix Suns, their top rivals for the No.1 seed in both the West and the league. According to many, one of these two teams will win the NBA title this season, making Saturday’s matchup even more interesting. These two foes have been battling for the top spot in the NBA throughout the campaign, often switching at that position. We’ve seen them face already twice, splitting one triumph each, and both previous clashes were exciting to watch. Let’s assume that this one is going to be the same.

Preview

Golden State Warriors (26-6, +145) had two of their last games at home, against the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies. Steve Kerr’s unit won both of them, without any particular trouble. The one against the Kings ended 113-98, and the latter, vs. Grizzlies, ended 113-104.

Steph Curry had one of those nights against Memphis, dropping 46 points in 37 minutes. Steph made eight threes in 14 attempts, and was perfect off the free-throw line, hitting all 12 tries. He showed some of his magic to Ja Morant and the rest of the youngsters.

The only other player with double-digit scoring in Dub Nation was Gary Payton II, who ended the night with 22 points, hitting four threes. Nemanja Bjelica with nine, Green and Otto Porter Jr. with eight were closest to hitting 10 buckets. The Warriors shot 48.8% from the field, and they also made 19 threes in 40 attempts. Wiggins and Poole are expected to miss this event due to health and safety protocols.

Phoenix Suns (26-5, -160) are rare teams in the league who don’t have problems with COVID-19. That only tells us about the composure and focus of all the players in this unit and their discipline. Monty Williams put together one hell of a crew, able to win the championship, and that’s why all the players give 100% on and off the court.

The Suns are riding a five-game winning streak, during which they’ve beaten the Trail Blazers, Wizards, Hornets, Lakers, and lastly, the Oklahoma City Thunder, 113-101. Phoenix shot 48.4% from the field, draining 15 threes and outrebounding the Thunder, 52-44.

Devin Booker had 30 points with seven rebounds and assists, Cameron Johnson posted an excellent performance off the bench, with 21 points not missing a single shot from the field, 5-5 for three. Johnson would grab nine boards too. Ayton got a double-double, 19 buckets, and 12 rebounds, while Chris Paul dropped 16 points.

Head to Head

The Warriors and the Suns won one game each this year. The first one in Arizona saw the hosts winning, 104-96. However, the Dub Nation responded at home, beating the Suns 118-96.

Prediction

We give a slight edge to the hosts here, who don’t have any trouble with COVID, while on the other side, the Warriors will feel Wiggins’ absence. The former top pick is solid on the defensive side, and he has his share of the offensive actions. Poole had his role too, and even though Curry might cover up everything on the offensive side, there aren’t too many players who can play defense like them.

Therefore, we are backing up the Suns to win here, and cover the spread as well.

Pick: Suns -3.5

Here are the previews for other NBA Christmas games

Celtics vs. Bucks

Nets vs. Lakers