Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Point Spread Picks

No. 10 seed Golden State is working on one day of rest after surviving against the Clippers. They won 126-121, overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit. The Warriors allowed 52% shooting and turned it over 20 times. Golden State is on a 7-13 ATS run, including 2-6 ATS on the road. Phoenix is taking two days off after a 114-110 loss to Portland. The Suns are sixth in the NBA in points allowed and second in defending the 3-pointer. The No. 7 seed has never missed the playoffs since the play-in was created five years ago, so back the rested home team. Play Phoenix. 

Due to key injuries and the scheduling spot, there is a lot of variance to this Warriors-Suns matchup. The more the variance, the better for the underdog Warriors. The NBA trade deadline is today. Already, the Warriors have dealt Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga. They won't have injured Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler is out for the year. So a talented, youthful Golden State bench has a chance to shine. The Suns are dealing with major injuries, too. Their leading scorer, Devin Booker, remains out with an ankle injury, and Jalen Green may not play either because of a hip injury. Booker is averaging 25.4 points a game and also leads Phoenix in assists with a 6.2 per game average. The Suns return home after a 130-125 road win against Portland two days ago. The Phoenix Suns were blown out by the Clippers, 117-93, in their last home contest this past Sunday. The Suns rank among the bottom nine teams in scoring and field goal percentage. Golden State averages more points per game than Phoenix and is the better free-throw shooting team. Take the Warriors on the moneyline. 

Golden State got the win and cover in the first meeting, 118-107 on Nov. 4. Both teams have been struggling recently, but the Suns were blown out by 49 points at Oklahoma City before keeping it close, falling 116-114 to the Lakers on Sunday after overcoming a 20-point deficit. The Suns are 1-5 ATS playing with at least three days' rest. The Warriors are 7-2 ATS in their past nine against the Pacific Division. Phoenix has lost five of seven outright and 10 of 16 as an underdog. Six of Phoenix's past seven home games against Golden State have gone OVER. The Warriors went OVER by 29 points while shooting 51 percent with seven double-figure scorers against Portland on Sunday. The Warriors are 7-0 OVER after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game, and they are 8-1 OVER their past nine Thursday games. Take the Warriors and the OVER.