Expectations remain big with these two franchises. Perennial playoff teams, both have seen faces come and go in recent times, one of which, Chris Paul, used to suit up for the Suns but now defends the Warriors’ colours. Each side saw its season end in the second round of the playoffs last spring. That said, given their rosters, would anyone be surprised if this is a Western Conference finals matchup in May?

As for this opening night contest, it’s the host Warriors who are perched as the slimmest favourites, -1.5 on the NBA odds.

Suns vs. Warriors NBA Betting Odds

To put it mildly, 2022-2023 was a rocky experience for the Golden State Warriors. The defence of their 2022 title went awry early and never picked up. As such, Phoenix, who experienced a stronger campaign, easily bested its Californian rivals three times out of four tries last season. The Suns were one of the rare teams to visit the Warriors and leave as victors.

Phoenix compiled a 43-38-1 record ATS in the regular season and a disappointing 4-7 record in the playoffs. A constantly shifting roster due to injuries and trades didn’t help, to be fair, nor did internal strife between two figures who aren’t on the team anymore (coach Monty Williams and centre Deandre Ayton).

Golden State’s efforts against the spread were like those for outright wins. It simply wasn’t a great year, one the team surely wants to leave in the rear-view mirror. 39-41-2 was nothing to write home about, significantly hampered by a dismal 11-30 straight-up record away from the Chase Center. Oddsmakers continuously gave them the benefit of the doubt on the road, but the team often disappointed.

Phoenix Suns

The team that heads out onto the court on Tuesday will look almost nothing like that which opened its season 12 months ago. Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul, and head coach Monty Williams are all gone.

Devin Booker (day-to-day) remains from the squad that was two wins away from its first-ever championship in 2021. Since then, Frank Vogel has been appointed as head coach, Bradley Beal is now PG, Kevin Durant arrived last winter, and Jusuf Nurkic is here as part of the now-famous Damian Lillard saga. Even the bench has changed, with the notorious Grayson Allen, Drew Eubanks, and Keita Bates-Diop. None of those guys wore Phoenix colours last season. This is essentially a reboot with one guy who’s been around for eight years (Booker) and a first-ballot Hall of Famer (KD) who arrived earlier this calendar year.

Golden State Warriors

There is no need to go over, yet again, what happened to Steve Kerr’s Warriors last season. There was interpersonal drama, there was fatigue and a woeful road record. In many respects, the franchise tossed those bad notions into the garbage bin.

Jordan Poole is now in Washington and Chris Paul, a former Sun, is now in San Francisco. No one in their right mind believes that CP3 is THE saviour of the franchise, but having this veteran to back up the club when Stephen Curry needs a breather is a great luxury. Many eyes will be on Klay Thompson to see if he has a bounce-back season. Draymond Green got bruised up during pre-season although it’s reported that he’s only day-to-day. Andrew Wiggins continues to be a strong supporting player and the bench is well-equipped with Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga, and Kevon Looney. Given the contract situations (nobody is on a deal beyond 2026-2027), one wonders how badly this unit wants to win more chips before the roster inevitably becomes too expensive to preserve as it is.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Warriors?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Suns Team Leaders

PHO

Points	Kevin Durant 27.09
Assists	Devin Booker 6.94
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 11.01
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 69.6
Steals	Jusuf Nurkic 1.07
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.21

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 26.43
Assists	Chris Paul 6.78
Rebounds	Draymond Green 7.24
FG%	Trayce Jackson-Davis 70.2
Steals	Chris Paul 1.21
Blocks	Trayce Jackson-Davis 1.12

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.5
Assists	Devin Booker 6
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 8.25
FG%	Nassir Little 60
Steals	Devin Booker 1.75
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.5

GS

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Warriors Team Leaders

PHO

Points	Kevin Durant 27.09
Assists	Devin Booker 6.94
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 11.01
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 69.6
Steals	Jusuf Nurkic 1.07
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.21

GS

Points	Stephen Curry 26.43
Assists	Chris Paul 6.78
Rebounds	Draymond Green 7.24
FG%	Trayce Jackson-Davis 70.2
Steals	Chris Paul 1.21
Blocks	Trayce Jackson-Davis 1.12

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.5
Assists	Devin Booker 6
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 8.25
FG%	Nassir Little 60
Steals	Devin Booker 1.75
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.5

GS

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

Phoenix

Grayson Allen (SG)

Out Sun Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Sat Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24

Drew Eubanks (PF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Wed Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Ques Fri Calf - 04 / 04 / 24

Grayson Allen (SG)

Prob Fri Hip - 02 / 04 / 24

Bradley Beal (SG)

Prob Wed Finger - 26 / 03 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Sat Eye - 22 / 03 / 24

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Thurs Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24

Golden State

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Tues Knee - 13 / 04 / 24

Klay Thompson (SG)

Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 04 / 24

Chris Paul (PG)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24

Javonte Green (SG)

Ques Sun Rest - 13 / 04 / 24

Jonathan Kuminga (PF)

Ques Sun Pelvis - 12 / 04 / 24

Dario Saric (SF)

Ques Sun Knee - 12 / 04 / 24

Gary Payton II (PG)

Out Tues Calf - 11 / 04 / 24

Klay Thompson (SG)

Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 04 / 24

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Fri Knee - 10 / 04 / 24

Draymond Green (PF)

Prob Tues Back - 08 / 04 / 24

Injuries

Phoenix

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Grayson Allen (SG)	Out Sun	Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24	0-3	2-1	+ -
Allen is nursing a right ankle injury, and he will not be active against the Timberwolves for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Sat	Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24	1-4	3-2	+ -
Gordon is battling a migraine, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Drew Eubanks (PF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24	2-4	4-2	+ -
Eubanks is dealing with right ankle soreness, but it is likely that he will take part in Sunday's battle versus the Timberwolves.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24	2-6	4-4	+ -
Nurkic missed the last game with a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available Wednesday against the Clippers.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Ques Fri	Calf - 04 / 04 / 24	5-6	5-6	+ -
Nurkic is nursing left calf soreness, and it is unknown if he will suit up Friday against the Timberwolves.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Prob Fri	Hip - 02 / 04 / 24	5-6	5-6	+ -
Allen missed the last game hampered by left hip soreness, but he is expected to be active for Friday's battle with the Timberwolves.
Bradley Beal (SG)	Prob Wed	Finger - 26 / 03 / 24	6-8	6-8	+ -
Beal is nursing a sprained right ring finger, but it is predicted that he will participate in Wednesday's battle with the Nuggets.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24	7-8	7-8	+ -
Nurkic missed the last clash with a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Thunder on Friday.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Sat	Eye - 22 / 03 / 24	9-8	8-9	+ -
Nurkic is hindered by an orbital contusion, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Spurs on Saturday.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Thurs	Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24	9-9	9-9	+ -
O'Neale is battling a right shoulder contusion, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Thursday's matchup with the Hawks.

Golden State

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Tues	Knee - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Green is tending to a right knee contusion, but it is expected that he will be active for the Western Conference Play-in tournament versus the Kings.
Klay Thompson (SG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Thompson is dealing with right knee tendinitis, but it is likely that he will dress Sunday versus the Jazz.
Chris Paul (PG)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Paul is nursing left hamstring tightness, but it is likely that he will partake in Sunday's matchup with the Jazz.
Javonte Green (SG)	Ques Sun	Rest - 13 / 04 / 24	0-3	1-1-1	+ -
Green may be held out of Sunday's clash against the Knicks for rest purposes.
Jonathan Kuminga (PF)	Ques Sun	Pelvis - 12 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Kuminga was absent from the last contest due to a right pelvic contusion, and it is uncertain if he will face the Jazz on Sunday.
Dario Saric (SF)	Ques Sun	Knee - 12 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Saric missed the previous match with lateral joint line pain in his right knee, leaving his status for Sunday's clash against the Jazz in question.
Gary Payton II (PG)	Out Tues	Calf - 11 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Payton II is managing left calf tightness, and he will not be in the lineup versus the Kings for the Western Conference Play-in tournament.
Klay Thompson (SG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 11 / 04 / 24	1-3	2-1-1	+ -
Thompson was absent from the previous match with right knee tendinitis, but it is anticipated that he will be active against the Pelicans on Friday.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 10 / 04 / 24	1-4	3-1-1	+ -
Green missed the last game due to a right knee contusion, but he is expected to be available for Friday's clash versus the Pelicans.
Draymond Green (PF)	Prob Tues	Back - 08 / 04 / 24	1-5	3-2-1	+ -
Green was lifted from the last game due to a back injury, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's matchup with the Lakers.