The Phoenix Suns (1-5) and the San Antonio Spurs (4-2) battle at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns will try to snap their five-game losing streak. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns ATS Odds
Although the Suns were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last contest, 117-110, they did cover as 13.5-point underdogs. The Spurs, meanwhile, topped the Dallas Mavericks, 113-108, but failed to cover as 7-point favorites. Both games went 8 points over their projected point totals (219 for the Phoenix game and 213 for the San Antonio game).
The Spurs knocked down 20 of their 21 free throws (95.2 percent), while the Mavericks had a turnover percentage of 18.3 (above their season average of 11.9). Phoenix, on the other hand, held Oklahoma City to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.9 (below their season average of 30.5). Deandre Ayton played a key role for Phoenix with 16 points and 11 rebounds. San Antonio, meanwhile, received a boost from DeMar DeRozan, who put up 34 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
The inefficient offense of Phoenix will battle against the elite defense of San Antonio. Dating back to the 2017-18 season, the Suns rank 30th in offensive efficiency, while the Spurs are fourth in defensive efficiency. The Spurs should have the advantage on that end of the court. Ball protection should be an advantage for the Spurs. They rank 4th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent). Conversely, the Suns have forced the second-fewest turnovers in the NBA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 12.7 percent).
Vegas is known to set the total low when the Spurs are involved, as 83.3 percent of their games have ended over the total. San Antonio heads into the contest with records of 4-2 straight up (SU) and 3-3 against the spread (ATS).
Suns games also have a tendency to go over the total (66.7 percent). Moreover, Phoenix is 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS.
The Spurs dominated this series last year, winning all four games. In the last game, San Antonio won 129-81. One of San Antonio’s biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 27 free throw attempts, while Phoenix had 18.
San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Suns, ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Spurs rank third in three pointers allowed per game (26.7) while the Suns rank 13th (29.3).
- San Antonio ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.9) while Phoenix ranks 29th (5.8).
- The Spurs rank 13th in steals allowed per game (7.5) while the Suns rank last (8.9).
- San Antonio ranks 13th in rebounds allowed per game (43.0) while Phoenix ranks 27th (45.7).
- San Antonio ranks 10th in second chance points per game (13.1) while Phoenix ranks 21st in second chance points allowed per game (13.1).
- The Spurs rank seventh in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while the Suns rank last (19.0).
- The Spurs rank 13th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.1) while the Suns rank 26th (47.8).
- San Antonio ranks 17th in assists per game (22.7) while Phoenix ranks 27th (21.6).
- Phoenix ranks seventh in fast break points per game (14.1) while San Antonio ranks 25th (9.9).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Phoenix is 8-2 and San Antonio is 33-11.
- The Spurs are 41-16 when they reach the century mark, while the Suns are 17-39.
