NBA 2021/22 on Wednesday, 02.02.2021
With today’s NBA tips, a match-up of this calibre could not be missing! The Phoenix Suns welcome the Brooklyn Nets! Two teams that have what it takes to play each other in the NBA Finals.
However, the New Yorkers would have to be in top form to do so. But as my Suns Nets tip sums up, Goddess Fortuna apparently has other plans. For the guests, it is now coming thick and fast in terms of injuries!
It is almost an outrage that Devin Booker was not nominated for the starting five of the upcoming All-Star Game despite his outstanding performances. Yet he leads his Suns from one win to another.
Yesterday against the San Antonio Spurs, the talented guard once again managed to ignite the turbo and turn around a 12-point deficit in the final quarter. By the way, this was the tenth consecutive win of the season!
Now a duel against the New Yorkers is on the agenda, which should not be too much of a challenge for the home side. The Nets’ nerves are currently being battered by injuries: First Durant, now Harden!
The fact that Kevin Durant has been out for weeks is already a very bad omen! But since the day before yesterday, James Harden seems to have to take a break due to a hand injury. The consequences for the black and whites on the floor are devastating.
For the first time, the Nets have lost four games in a row this season – even though the opponents, the Timberwolves, Nuggets, Lakers and Warriors, were not without their problems. But it won’t be any easier against Phoenix…
Without Aldridge, Edwards, Harden and Durant, it will be extremely difficult to face Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Especially to stop Booker’s explosive drives into the half court, “The Beard” would have to perform compellingly – but that will probably not be the case!
The Nets will have to stop a team that has lost only one of its last fourteen NBA games and has a much better defence. To this end, the statistics are unmistakable.
Over the last ten NBA games, Arizonans have allowed an average of 10.7 points less than New York. This statistic does not even take into account the absence of James Harden, who missed his first game only yesterday.
Without The Beard, this will be a tricky affair. Phoenix may not be complete either in the absence of Jaw Crowder and centre DeAndre Ayton, but the Black and Purple’s second suit currently fits like a glove.
By the way, both franchises already faced each other this season – on 28.11.2021 at the Barclays Center to be exact. Back then, New York’s starting five featured the now-injured Kevin Durant, James Harden and Lamarcus Aldridge.
And although Durantula even managed to sink 39 points that night, it was still the Suns who had the upper hand in the end with 113-107. Although Kyrie Irving is starting for the Black and Whites this time, the losses are much more serious.
Last but not least, I would like to mention that Phoenix is the team with the best home record after the Warriors. The Black and Violets have won 21 of their 26 appearances at the Footprint Center so far.
If both teams were in their best line-up, then the odds from the various bookmakers would certainly look different. However, with the home side at 85% of their fighting strength while the Nets are at just 50%, the payout table should come as no surprise.
According to this, a Suns win is offered at betting odds averaging just 1.32. On the other hand, if the replacement team from Brooklyn can indeed end Arizona’s winning streak, the markets are offering almost quadruple the bet!
Conclusion: On paper a top game, but at the latest after this Suns-Nets tip it should be clear that this has to be a very clear affair in favour of the home side.
Because the Arizonans just won their tenth game in a row thanks to an outstanding Devin Booker, who plays with a healthy pinch of anger in his stomach due to his non-nomination for the All-Star Game.
Brookyln, on the other hand, lost each of their last four games. No wonder, because in addition to Kevin Durant, James Harden is now also out. But the absences of Aldridge and Edwards also weigh heavily.
My Suns Nets tip can therefore only be as follows: Win Suns with handicap -3.5!
