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Suns Take on Nets in Clash of Title Contenders

Phoenix on 15-Game Win Streak

The Phoenix Suns try to extend their 15-game winning streak when they face the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. The opening tip of this clash of title favorites is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Phoenix is coming off a 118-97 rout of the New York Knicks on Friday night, its seventh straight road victory. The Suns are 16-3 and in second place in the Pacific Division, trailing the first-place Golden State Warriors by one game.

Kevin Durant drives past Chris Paul Phoenix Suns vs Brooklyn Nets Picks
Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

The Nets have won four in a row, including a 123-104 win against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Brooklyn is 14-5 and atop the Atlantic Division standings, leading the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, who are tied for second place, by four games.

If you want to bet online on this contest, the NBA lines list the Nets as 2½-point favorites, with the over/under set at 223 1/2 points. You can get the Nets on a moneyline bet at -140, while the Suns are listed at +120.

Red Hot

The Suns would be the talk of the NBA if it wasn’t for their division rival, the Warriors. Phoenix hasn’t lost since Oct. 27, when it fell to the Sacramento Kings to begin the season with a 1-3 record.

Still, Phoenix is coming off an NBA Finals appearance, its focus is on the long game, not a winning streak in the early part of the season.

“This ain’t a playoff game (Saturday),” Phoenix guard Chris Paul said after Friday’s win. “It’s good for us to go out there and compete, and we’re probably gonna see different coverages and all that, but we’re just trying to build, build. It’s not about winning a game in November.”

Paul and the Suns might not have a win here as their main goal, but they also want to send a message to a potential Finals opponent on the Nets’ home court. To do that, they’ll have to match the Nets’ offense, which means guard Devin Booker needs to stay hot.

Booker had 32 points in 35 minutes against the Knicks on Friday night, and he is averaging 23.6 points per game. The 25-year-old is also contributing with 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range.

Paul has been doing his part as well, leading the NBA with 10.4 assists per contest. The 36-year-old is playing like he’s Booker’s age, scoring 14.1 points per game and causing havoc for opponents on both ends of the floor.

Putting It Together

The Nets struggled a bit at the start of the season, getting off to a 2-3 start before winning 12 of their last 14. Brooklyn has more depth on this year’s team, with veterans like LaMarcus Aldridge returning and Patty Mills joining the team.

The Brooklyn attack still revolves around forward Kevin Durant, as well it should. Durant passed Allen Iverson for 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and doesn’t look to be slowing down in that department any time soon.

Durant is second in the NBA in scoring this season with 28.1 points per game. He’s also averaging 7.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 55.6% from the field, including 39.8% from 3-point range.

Guard James Harden is also rounding into his former MVP form, ranking second in the league with 9.2 assists per game while also averaging 20.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per contest. The matchup of Harden and Booker will be a fun one to watch on the perimeter.

Suns Earn Win

Brooklyn is playing well, but the Suns have more depth and have the experience of playing together through to the Finals. Paul may say this game doesn’t mean much, but don’t let that fool you. Phoenix is going to give a maximum effort in the last game of its four-game road trip and come away with a victory.

When making your NBA picks, take the Suns to win on the road.

Pick: Phoenix Suns +2½

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