If NBA fans were asked to predict how the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns would do this year, odds are they’d have mostly positive things to say. But the truth hurts, and neither side is living its dream campaign. Phoenix has wrestled with injuries and inconsistent play whereas Golden State doesn’t look that much better than last season, which many believed was a one-off bad year.

Like most of the NBA, they’ve been idle since Friday night in light of the In-Season Tournament finale that dominated the weekend.

The NBA odds view the Phoenix Suns as -3.5 favourites for this matchup.

Warriors vs. Suns NBA Betting Odds

It’s only December but Tuesday will be the third go-round between these franchises. The Suns captured the first two, once at home and once in San Francisco. They were the underdogs when playing away and the favourites at home, covering both times in the process. It’s been a rough go for Golden State when playing the Arizona-based ensemble, as they’ve fallen in six of the last seven meetings. The last time Stephen Curry and company defeated the Suns as the road team was on Christmas Day 2021.

At 10-12 both in the standings and ATS, the Warriors present a flustering predicament for betters. The roster is graced with very talented pieces, so individual player props seem like the smarter way to go until the team figures things out, assuming they do. They still score a decent amount of points (115.5, 11^th in the NBA), but their field goal efficiency is ranked shockingly low at 25^th (45.2 per cent). They are the ultimate middle-of-the-road team: 5-6 at home, 5-6 away, 115.5 points scored per game, 115.1 given up.

The Suns are having a slightly better campaign at 12-10, although the spread has done betters no favours either with a 9-12-1 tally. Bradley Beal was a big off-season signing but has hardly played. He hopes to suit up on Tuesday. Kevin Durant is struggling with an ankle issue and Devin Booker missed many games as well. They’re just behind Golden State in scoring (115.1).

Golden State Warriors

For the second time this season, it looked as though the Warriors had the Thunder where they wanted them on Friday. For the second time, the Thunder prevailed in overtime, 138-136.

The game itself was a microcosm of how things have changed over the past 1+ seasons in the Warriors camp. In-game developments that were in their favour year after year are suddenly going against them. They don’t score those critical baskets to win games anymore: their opponents are enjoying that these days. Curry led his team in scoring as he has so often this year with 34 points. Not for the first time Jonathan Kuminga was a force off the bench, tallying 24 points off 10-for-21 shooting and corralling 12 boards. He was a defensive liability however with a point differential of minus 15.

Some important names are listed as day-to-day, most notably Klay Thompson and Chris Paul (illness). Gary Payton II is still out with a calf injury.

Phoenix Suns

Much like the Warriors, the Suns have struggled to kick their game into a higher gear. On Friday they hosted the red-hot Sacramento Kings and fell somewhat meekly 114-106.

The game was well within reach when the third quarter got underway, but Phoenix chose that very moment to play some of its worst basketball of the season. Sacramento trounced them 33-12 during those 12 minutes, meaning only the most spectacular final-period comeback would have turned the tide. Booker scored a team-high 28, all of which was needed to keep the game within reach given KD’s absence. But they were badly outrebounded 50-40, which killed a lot of potential second chances to score. Jusuf Nurkic is playing decent basketball but so far doesn’t look like a massive upgrade from DeAndre Ayton, save in rebounding  – he grabs about two more per game on average.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Warriors vs. Suns?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Warriors Team Leaders

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	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
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

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

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Suns Team Leaders

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	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
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

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

Injuries

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

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

Injuries

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.

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.