basketball | Tuesday, February 7, 2023 12:40 PM

Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns Best Bet: Back Suns For Important Road Win

Sam Cox

Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns Best Bet: Tuesday, February 7th

Devin Booker is set for his long-awaited return when the Phoenix Suns face the depleted Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. Brooklyn is in limbo between trades, with uncertainty over whether Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith will play after the Kyrie Irving deal was completed last night. Dinwiddie remains at the centre of further trade speculation.

Phoenix was reportedly in pursuit of Irving, adding a little spice to this matchup. This is the third of a five-game roadtrip for the Suns, who are on 8-2 run leading up to the deadline.
Brooklyn should have Ben Simmons available here, though Seth Curry and Kevin Durant are out. Cam Thomas is expected to start again after consecutive 40-point games following Irving’s trade request.

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Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns Preview
Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns Best Bet

Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns Preview

Wed, Feb 08. 00:10 (UK time)

The Nets have a -3.1 net rating in minutes without Durant this season, such is their dependence on the former MVP. They are weakened further after Irving’s acrimonious departure, and this roster is clearly in turmoil.

On the other side of this matchup, Phoenix is a +5.1 in Booker’s minutes. They will manage his minutes carefully after this absence, but his return clearly elevates his teammates and takes some of the pressure off Chris Paul, who has been concerningly inconsistent despite improving after a slow start.

The Suns have quietly placed sixth in net rating over the last 10 games. One can ponder if the trade rumours will unsettle them too, but this team is accustomed to off-court distractions. Their 10-17 road record doesn’t inspire great confidence, yet this matchup is not exactly a fair representation of how Brooklyn has performed in 2022-23.

Phoenix appears to be trending in the right direction. The Nets, while waving goodbye to Irving was probably a relief, are again shuffling their rotations, diving into the unknown with two new players who may or may not be available. Their starting line up of Thomas, Edmond Sumner, Joe Harris, Royce O’Neale and Nic Claxton in their Monday night loss to the Clippers is severely overmatched against a Suns team with all five of its starters healthy.

Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns Best Bet

Over their last seven, Phoenix have covered this number on five occasions. They are 7-5 against the spread with a rest advantage, while the Nets have covered in only a third of their games where they have had less rest than their opponents.

Brooklyn’s strong record at home and Phoenix’s road woes clearly contribute to this low number. If this was in Phoenix, the Suns might be favoured by double digits. With Brooklyn on the second night of a back-to-back, the value clearly lies with the road team to win this by at least a few points.