Durant Returns to Face Nets With Suns Healthy and Surging
Suns vs Nets Betting Odds: Phoenix Just 17-28-2 ATS
Two-time NBA MVP Kevin Durant makes his anticipated return to Brooklyn when the Phoenix Suns visit the Nets on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET). Durant was traded by Brooklyn as part of a four-team blockbuster last February.
Phoenix opened as a 3.5-point favorite and -162 on the moneyline, with Brooklyn priced +136 to win outright. The projected total is 230.5.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the Suns vs Nets betting odds.
Suns vs Nets 
Day/Time:
Location: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, N.Y.
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Suns vs Nets Betting Trends
The Phoenix Suns are just 17-28-2 ATS, including 10-11-1 away from home. The total has gone Under in seven of the Suns’ last eight games. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are 22-22-2 ATS, including 14-8-2 at home. Brooklyn has gone Under the total in 24 of its 46 games.
Keep these trends in mind when assessing the Suns vs Nets betting odds.
Better Late than Never
After a discombobulated start, the Suns have begun to round into form. They’re 8-2 over their last 10 games following Monday’s 118-105 victory over Miami. Their 27-20 record is good for sixth in the Western Conference, and there’s reason to believe they’ll continue to trend upward as the Big Three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal gels.
Oddsmakers continue to expect big things. Projected for 51.5 wins, the Suns are +550 to win the West and +1200 to win the NBA title. Only four teams currently have shorter odds: Celtics (+310), Nuggets (+450), Bucks (+550) and Clippers (+600).
Booker is averaging 30.5 points this month and ranks fifth in the NBA in scoring at 28.4 points per game. He had a 52-point performance on Jan. 19 against New Orleans and scored 62 against Indiana on Jan. 26. Durant is averaging 28.3 points and Beal 17.5.
Beal, acquired in an offseason trade with Washington, has played in only 23 games after dealing with back and ankle injuries. Because of that, Phoenix’s All-Star trio has gotten very little time together on the court. Still, they’re 12-5 since a 27-20 start. That bodes well for the Suns’ NBA playoff standing.
The Suns have been among the least profitable NBA teams for bettors, going 17-28-2 ATS. Only Atlanta and Charlotte have covered at a lower rate than Phoenix (37.8%). At home, the Suns are just 7-17-1 ATS. Be sure to remember that when analyzing the Suns vs Nets betting odds.
Simmons’ Return Sparks Optimism
The Nets have won two straight but are still just 3-7 over their last 10 games. They’re coming off a 147-114 rout of Utah on Monday as a 1-point underdog. The win marked the return of Ben Simmons, who finished with 10 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench. Simmons hadn’t played since Nov. 6, a span of 38 games, because of a pinched nerve in his lower back. The Nets outscored Utah by 27 points with Simmons on the floor.
Brooklyn is still just 19-27, but its outlook changes significantly with a healthy Simmons. The former No. 1 overall pick was an All-Star caliber NBA player with Philadelphia before being traded to Brooklyn. In two seasons since joining the Nets, he’s been limited to 49 games because of NBA injuries.
Oddsmakers are still skeptical of the Nets, pricing them +550 to make the playoffs. More specifically, they’re -105 to participate in the postseason play-in tournament. They were projected for only 37.5 regular-season wins.
Forward Mikal Bridges is Brooklyn’s leading scorer (21.9 PPG), but he’s been floated as a candidate to be dealt at next month’s trade deadline. The former Sun had 33 points on Monday and is averaging 27.0 points over the last five. Brooklyn was playing without forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who is expected to miss another game with an ankle injury.
The Nets are just 4-12-1 ATS over their last 17 games and have gone Under the total in 10 of their previous 15 contests.
Handicapping the Game
In the teams’ last NBA matchup on Dec. 13, the Nets won 116-112 led by 24 points from Cam Thomas. It marked the first time this season because of injuries that Durant, Booker and Beal played on the same night.
All three should be back on the floor Wednesday as the Suns continue their seven-game road trip on the NBA game schedule. They’re 13-9 on the road this season, including 10-11-1 ATS. The Nets, meanwhile, are 14-8-1 ATS at home.
Simmons is expected to play, albeit with restrictions as the Nets continue to monitor his minutes following a lengthy absence.
For NBA odds, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
