half time report
Only two more quarters stand between the Thunder and the victory they were favorites to achieve tonight. They have a bit of protection as they currently lead the Suns 48-36.
If the Thunder continue to play like this, they will increase their record to 11-2 in no time. On the other hand, the Suns will have to settle for a 9-4 record unless things turn around (and quickly).
Who is playing
Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Current records: Phoenix 9-3, Oklahoma City 10-2
How to watch
- When: Friday, November 15, 2024 at 8 pm Eastern Time
- Where: Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- TV: Arizona Family Sports Network
- Continue: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try it for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $20.49
What to know
The Thunder and Suns are 5-5 against each other since December 2021, but not for long. The Oklahoma City Thunder will stay home for another game and host the Phoenix Suns at 8:00 pm ET on Friday at the Paycom Center. The Thunder will strut their stuff after a win, while the Suns will bounce back from a loss.
The Thunder head into this one after oddsmakers set last week’s low over/under at 224.5, but even that ended up being too high. They defeated the Pelicans 106-88 on Wednesday.
The Thunder can attribute much of their success to Jalen Williams, who went 10 of 18 en route to 31 points plus seven assists and six rebounds, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 29 points to go along with five assists and five rebounds. Williams continues to advance, surpassing his previous point total in each of the last three games he has played. Less useful for the Thunder was Isaiah Joe’s dismal 0-for-5 three-point shooting.
Although they won, the Thunder had trouble getting the ball back on offense and finished the game with only five offensive rebounds. They were demolished by their opponents in that department as the Pelicans downed 21.
Meanwhile, the Suns suffered their biggest loss since April 20 on Wednesday. Their painful 127-104 loss to the Kings could stay with them for a while.
The losing side was fueled by Josh Okogie, who was 10-for-15 en route to 25 points plus eight rebounds and two steals. What’s more, he also recorded a three-point shooting accuracy of 75%, which is the highest he has recorded since April.
Oklahoma City’s victory raised its record to 10-2. As for Phoenix, their loss ended a three-game road winning streak and brought them to 9-3.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: the Thunder haven’t given the ball away easily this season, having averaged just 11.1 turnovers per game (they rank first in turnovers per game overall). . It’s not like the Suns have problems in that department, though, as they’ve averaged just 12.5. Given these competing strengths, it will be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are the favorites in this matchup, as experts expect to see them win by 7.5 points. Those interested in the spread don’t face an easy decision as they are 8-4 and Phoenix is 3-3.
Odd
Oklahoma City is a heavy 7.5-point favorite against Phoenix, according to the latest report. NBA Odds.
The line has shifted a bit towards the Thunder, as the game opened with the Thunder as a 5-point favorite.
The over/under is 228 points.
See NBA selections for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Oklahoma City and Phoenix have 5 wins in their last 10 games.
- March 29, 2024: Oklahoma City 128 vs. Phoenix 103
- March 3, 2024: Oklahoma City 118 vs. Phoenix 110
- November 12, 2023: Oklahoma City 111 vs. Phoenix 99
- April 2, 2023: Phoenix 128 vs. Oklahoma City 118
- March 19, 2023: Oklahoma City 124 vs. Phoenix 120
- March 8, 2023: Phoenix 132 vs. Oklahoma City 101
- February 24, 2023: Phoenix 124 vs. Oklahoma City 115
- April 3, 2022: Oklahoma City 117 vs. Phoenix 96
- February 24, 2022: Phoenix 124 vs. Oklahoma City 104
- December 29, 2021: Phoenix 115 vs. Oklahoma City 97
