Suns host the Hornets on NBA Sunday
by Aaron Torres
The Phoenix Suns are slowly climbing up the ladder and looking to make a real deep NBA Playoffs run this spring. But to do so, they’ll need to keep winning games they’re supposed to, starting with a visit from the New Orleans Hornets in Sunday night’s betting odds.
New Orleans Hornets (32-33 SU, 30-34-1 ATS) at Phoenix Suns (40-25 SU, 37-27-1 ATS)
Sunday, March 14: 9:00 p.m.
Here are some NBA Betting Trends that may impact this game:
New Orleans: 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games
New Orleans: 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
Phoenix: 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games
Phoenix: Total has gone over in 4 of their last 6 games
Phoenix comes into this game as an offensive juggernaut, as once again, they’re the highest scoring team in all of the NBA. Looking across their roster it’s no surprise. Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson and Leandro Barbosa are all averaging double-figures. But as always, they have the benefit of playing with the NBA’s best point guard, Steve Nash.
What Nash is doing yet again at the age of 36 is nothing short of amazing. He is currently leading the NBA in assists, averaging over 11 a game, and leading this high powered Phoenix offense. In the Suns last five games coming into the weekend, he’s had at least 10 dimes in four of them.
As for New Orleans, they are a beat up and decimated team, and are relying on a group of young players they never thought they’d have to, to try and get wins in the rugged Western Conference. It’s a big reason why they’ve lost four of their last five games overall.
Either way, you certainly can’t blame rookie point guard Darren Collison for the Hornets recent struggles, who has stepped in admirably for the injured Chris Paul. Collison has been phenomenal stepping out of his back-up role, as he’s now scored double-figures in 15 of the Hornets last 16 games. Last Friday against Sacramento the first year player scored 32.
However, beyond Collison, the Hornets just have just been too banged up to match up with opponents. Not only is superstar guard Chris Paul out, but now shooting guard Peja Stoyakovic will miss two weeks as well. It’s been a long season in New Orleans, and things aren’t getting better any time soon.
Because of it, take Phoenix in the betting odds. They should be rested and relaxed coming into this one, as they played just two games this week, one Friday and this one Sunday. With that, and the home crowd behind them, in addition to a decimated New Orleans squad coming to town, the Suns should be your play.
