Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder Prediction and Betting Tips for 2024 Emirates NBA Cup | Nov. 15

The Phoenix Suns face the OKC Thunder on Friday in the Emirates NBA Cup. Phoenix is 1-0 in the tournament after beating the Utah Jazz 120-112 on Tuesday. Beating the Thunder on the road will be tough as Kevin Durant (calf) and Bradley Beal (calf) have been ruled out due to injuries.

The Thunder try to open the competition with a win despite playing with an injury-ravaged roster. Oklahoma will host the Suns without Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams. Last season’s MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and emerging star Jalen Williams will lead the Thunder.

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Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder Preview, Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds and Betting Tips

The Paycom Center in Oklahoma will host the Suns-Thunder Emirates NBA Cup showdown. Basketball fans can catch the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: Suns (+265) vs. Thunder (-330)

Odds: Suns (+7.5) vs. Thunder (-7.5)

Total (O/U): Suns (o226.5 -110) vs. Thunder (u226.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder preview

After racking up seven straight wins, the Phoenix Suns are 1-2 because of injuries to Kevin Durant and Bradley. Devin Booker has largely carried the fight for the team without his superstar teammates. If Jusuf Nurkic, who is questionable, isn’t cleared to play, Booker’s load will only grow heavier.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer must coax more out of the rest of the roster to give Booker a hand. If Josh Okogie, Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones don’t step up, Phoenix could go home with a loss.

Following Chet Holmgren’s injury, which decimated the OKC's frontline, Mark Daigneault rolled with Alex Caruso at power forward. Caruso, however, also suffered an injury, forcing Daigneault to adjust again.

Oklahoma has struggled, but it has kept on winning. Daigneault has inserted Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe into the starting lineup and given minutes to Ousmane Dieng and Ajay Mitchell.

The Thunder are finding rhythm with a small-ball lineup. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander healthy, the hosts are the favorite to win their opening NBA Emirates Cup game.

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Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder predicted starting lineups

Suns

PG: Tyus Jones | SG: Devin Booker | SF: Ryan Dunn | PF: Royce O’Neale | C: Jusuf Nurkic

Thunder

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | SG: Lu Dort | SG: Isaiah Joe | SG: Cason Wallace | PF: Jalen Williams

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Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder betting tips

Jalen Williams has averaged 26.3 points in his last three games due to the increased usage. He could top the 22.5 (O/U) points prop out of necessity. Williams has to help “SGA” carry the scoring load without several key players.

Even without Alex Caruso, Oklahoma still has Cason Wallace and Lu Dort who will take turns shadowing Devin Booker. “Book” might not get past his 28.5 (O/U) points prop when the Thunder defense could focus on him.

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Phoenix Suns vs OKC Thunder prediction

The Thunder will be undersized, particularly if Jusuf Nurkic gets the clearance to play. Oklahoma will counter with a fast lineup that can shoot and play defense. The hosts could win their first NBA Emirates Cup game this season but allow the Suns to cover the -7.5 spread.