Thunder vs Suns Expert Picks, Predictions & Injury Reports (Game 3)

• The OKC Thunder are heavy favorites to push the Phoenix Suns to the brink in Game 3
• The Thunder won both games at home by double digits
• Read below for the latest Thunder vs Suns odds, my prediction and injury report ahead of Game 3

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The Phoenix Suns (45-37, 25-16 home) return home but staggering in their Round 1 Western Conference series against the powerhouse OKC Thunder (64-18, 30-10 away).

After dropping the first two on the road, they’re heavy underdogs in the NBA odds for Game 3.

Could an injury to OKC’s Jalen Williams give the Suns a way back onto the series?

Tip-off is scheduled this afternoon at 3:30pm ET from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, NBC and Peacock carrying the live broadcast.

Thunder vs Suns Odds

The graphic above shows the best available odds, which are subject to change

The Thunder, title favorites in the NBA Championship odds, are hefty -395 favorites on the moneyline at DraftKings, while listed as a 9-point favorite on the spread at bet365. Phoenix has +350 odds to pull off the upset at FanDuel, while getting an extra half-point on the spread at DraftKings.

The total is set at 214.5, with -110 odds on the Over at bet365, and payouts at -106 odds at FanDuel.

Thunder vs Suns Picks & Prediction

• Pick: Suns +9.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

It’s really now or never for the Suns, as going down 3-0 in a series in the NBA Playoffs is the equivalent to a dead man walking. In the previous 159 instances it’s gotten to that point, the trailing team has yet to come back and win a series.

The Suns should have a fired-up Devin Booker, as the normally mild-mannered guard went off on the officiating, for two egregious calls: an offensive foul on him for an unusual shooting motion, then getting a tech for throwing the ball while falling out of bounds and hitting Jaylin Williams.

Anything to wake Booker up would be much warranted. He’s scored 23 points or less in four postseason games, this coming from a guy that went for 30+ in five of his last six to close out the regular season. He’s yet to attempt north of 17 field goal attempts in the playoffs.

As a team, the Suns will also need to cut down on the turnovers, committing 38 through two games, and allowing the Thunder to attempt better than 90+ field goals each game.

They were one of the better bounce-back teams in the league, going 23-16-0 against the spread following a loss, a Top-8 mark in the NBA.

Oklahoma is rolling, and have ripped off 10 consecutive first round games, halfway home to a third straight Round 1 sweep. Their Top 5 offense from the regular season is intact, and their top scoring defense has carried into the playoffs, currently the best in the NBA, holding the Suns to 95.5 points per game through two contest.

But as you’ll read below, there could be a creak open with a significant injury on the Thunder’s side.

With OKC injury issues and Phoenix desperation, this might be the Suns’ best shot to get back in the series.

Thunder vs Suns Injury Report

The Thunder announced that Jalen Williams is out as he suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Wednesday’s Game 2 win over the Suns. It’s just another setback in a series of ailments that have led to him playing a career-low 33 games in the regular season.

He will be out at least a week before being re-evaluated. Also notable that another wing, Isaiah Joe (personal) is doubtful to suit up.

OKC still rattled off 64 wins with Williams in and out of the lineup this season, and it’s expected that Ajay Mitchell will soak up some more minutes, but the Thunder are still deep, with Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso able to step into larger roles, while Jared McCain is also better than serviceable.

For the Suns, Grayson Allen (hamstring) could be back for Game 3, while Jordan Goodwin (calf) is questionable. Center Mark Williams (foot) is out.