US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook reviews) weren't too kind to Oklahoma City prior to the season, and for good reason, as they are a very young team. But the Thunder are rolling towards a playoff spot and possibly homecourt advantage in the tough West as they host Phoenix on Tuesday, and the Suns have had Oklahoma City's number lately.
Suns vs Thunder odds – Tuesday, February 23, 8:00 PM ET
The Suns managed to get through yet another trade deadline without trading Amare Stoudamire, and now the process begins to keep the big man in the desert. Prior to Sunday's meeting against Sacramento, Stoudamire had averaged 25.4 point and 10.0 boards, and the rebounds are important because Stoudamire usually doesn't go to the glass hard. However, he was benched after getting just one in a game against Dallas on January 28th, but he's averaged 11.25 since.
The Thunder will be back home after they play in Minnesota on Sunday night, and they'll carry an eight-game winning streak into that game. Only twice during that streak have they allowed 100 points or less, and that was against Golden State and New York, two teams that live to shoot it out. For being such a young team (Kevin Durant has the most seniority among their top four scorers), the Thunder are impressing everyone with their attention to defense. Durant has improved defensively and on the boards while maintaining the ability to score on anyone and everyone in sight. Russell Westbrook is a pesky defender against the opposition's point guard, something that is crucial to their sportsbook odds against the Suns.
The Thunder should be favored in your sportsbook at home, where they are 16-10 and have won four in a row. The Suns may have a psychological edge because they've won nine of their last 10 against the Thunder, but that may have been erased by Oklahoma City with a 117-113 win in Phoenix on December 23rd. Durant had 38 points, including the game-winning bucket, while Westbrook added 19 points, eight boards and seven assists. Stoudamire had 35 to lead the Suns, while Steve Nash added 24 points and 12 assists, but Phoenix was outrebounded 48-38, and their bench was outscored 34-12. Their last three meetings with the Suns were in Phoenix, so they'll receive a boost from being at home, and the Suns' offense had not scored more than 100 points for two games before they played in Sacramento on Sunday, so the Thunder will be looking to take advantage of this. The Thunder have shown an ability to win offensive shootouts and low-scoring affairs, and we have more confidence in them to make the key stop when needed.
NBA betting pick: Oklahoma City
