For the third time in the last four years, the Golden State Warriors’ season will be decided in a play-in tournament as they take on the Phoenix Suns in one last do-or-die showdown to determine whether or not they sneak into the playoffs.
The Warriors beat the LA Clippers on Wednesday in the 9-10 play-in game, while the No. 7 Suns lost their spot to the Portland Trail Blazers, making this a de facto must-win matchup for both teams. The winner of the game will advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed to face the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder.
Golden State was the best team between the two teams this season. They won three of the four games in the regular season. A clean sweep at Chase Center and a 101-97 road win in Phoenix should give the Warriors hope and confidence that winning a necessary road game is doable.
The game is slated for a 10 p.m. ET tip-off and will be shown exclusively on Amazon Prime.
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Odds
Moneyline: Warriors (+130) vs Suns (-155)
Spread: Warriors +3.5 (-110) vs Suns -3.5 (-110)
Total (O/U): Warriors o219.5 (-110) vs Suns u219.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Preview
Steph Curry and Draymond Green turned back the clock and delivered a vintage performance as the Warriors found a way to battle back, winning 126-121 against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome.
Curry, the hero of the game with his clutch late threes, finished with a game-high 35 points, including 27 in the second half. Green, who had been dealing with an illness all game long, held the fort down for Golden State, which was down 13 points in the final frame with several key steals. He reportedly threw up during pregame but focused on staying hydrated and doing everything he could to stay dialed in. Green completely locked Kawhi Leonard, who didn’t get a single shot in the final quarter against the veteran forward.
Throughout the game, the Warriors showed championship resilience that has taught them not to panic, and they will need to carry that same mindset on Friday as well.
The Suns, on the other hand, watched a sure victory slip away yet again, surrendering a double-digit lead before falling 114-110 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Phoenix led the Trail Blazers by 11 with seven minutes remaining. Portland went on a 25-10 run in the final frame to flip the result in its favor. It was almost all self-inflicted, considering they were playing at home, another reminder of their season-long struggles to finish games. The Suns now have to battle for their playoff lives to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to them again against the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Injury Reports
Golden State Warriors Injury Report
Injuries to Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry and Moses Moody took the Warriors’ season off the rails a bit, but they at least had one of them return for the play-in. Curry is expected to suit up after missing 27 games with a knee injury. However, his new partner, Kristaps Porzingis, is listed as questionable with ankle soreness.
Phoenix Suns Injury Report
As for the Suns, they listed Grayson Allen and Mark Williams as questionable. Allen has been dealing with a hamstring injury and has missed the team’s last two games, while Williams is dealing with foot soreness. He played 24 minutes in the team’s last game against Portland.
Golden State Warriors Starting Lineups
Warriors
PG: Steph Curry | SG: Brandin Podziemski | SF: Gui Santos | PF: Draymond Green | C: Kristaps Porzingis*
Suns
PG: Devin Booker | SG: Jalen Green | SF: Jordan Goodwin | PF: Dillon Brooks | C: Mark Williams*
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
This will be a tougher matchup than some fans expect, but in the end, who wants it more when the season is on the line will be the deciding factor. The oddsmakers list Phoenix as 3.5-point favorites. However, we feel the Warriors will show enough fight and championship mettle to see them move into the postseason.
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