The Oklahoma City Thunder will continue their quest to win back-to-back NBA championships Sunday when they get their opening-round playoff series underway against the Phoenix Suns. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center (ABC/ESPN).
The Suns beat the Warriors 111-96 in the play-in tournament to earn the No. 8 seed and set up a best-of-seven series against Oklahoma City. The Suns are one of only three teams to beat the Thunder twice this season. Phoenix went 2-3 in the five regular-season meetings between the teams. However, the Thunder did not play their starters in Phoenix’s 135-103 win in the season finale on April 12, as they had nothing at stake in the standings.
This will be the first time the teams have met in the playoffs since 1997, when the Thunder were known as the SuperSonics and won 4-1 in the Western Conference first round. Overall, they have met 25 times, with the Suns leading 13-12.
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder Odds
Moneyline: Suns (+275) vs Thunder (-1200)
Spread: Suns +14 (-103) vs Thunder -14 (-115)
Total (O/U): Suns o215.5 (-110) vs Thunder u215.5 (-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.
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder Preview
The expectation for the Thunder this time around is to reach the NBA Finals again. They’ve got the best player in the world in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, elite defense from Luguentz Dort, and proven contributors in Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Anything short of the Finals would be a massive letdown for the franchise and would be viewed as a step back.
As for the Suns, they won’t be off the hook if they lose this series, and it depends on how competitive they are in the series. If the Suns win just one game or even get swept, it will still serve as valuable playoff rep for a team in transition after the Kevin Durant era. Phoenix has also benefited from the addition of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, who will be crucial to their hopes in this series.
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder Injury Reports
Phoenix Suns Injury Report
The Suns listed Grayson Allen (hamstring) and Mark Williams (foot) as questionable for their series opener.
OKC Thunder Injury Report
As for the Thunder, they remain healthy, with most of the roster available for selection.
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder Starting Lineups
Suns
PG: Devin Booker | SG: Jalen Green | SF: Jordan Goodwin | PF: Dillon Brooks | C: Oso Ighodaro
Thunder
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | SG: Lu Dort | SF: Jalen Williams | PF: Chet Holmgren | C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder Prediction
The Thunder were easily the best regular-season team in the league this year, and they only got stronger at the trade deadline with the acquisition of Jared McCain, who has provided valuable minutes off the bench. They are heavy favorites to win the series opener, well-rested against a team that played two play-in games.
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