\n(O\/U) 210\u00bd
\nTuesday, December 15 10:00 PM ET<\/strong><\/p>\n
Usually, an early season matchup between the Phoenix Suns (16-8 SU, 14-10 ATS, 7-15-2 O\/U) and San Antonio Spurs (12-9 SU, 10-11 ATS, 11-10 O\/U) doesn\u2019t mean very much in the grand scheme of each team\u2019s playoff mindset.<\/p>\n
LOOKING FOR NBA EXPERT ANALYSIS? CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST NBA GAMBLING PICKS!! —–><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n However, tonight\u2019s contest between the Western Conference contenders (pretenders) is an important meeting for both ballclubs as they seek to iron out their current problems.<\/p>\n Phoenix 411<\/p>\n The Suns will be looking to snap out of the funk they\u2019ve been in recently, losing five of their last seven games including a 105-99 loss to Denver on Saturday.<\/p>\n Despite their losing ways, the Suns have covered the point spread in three consecutive games and six of their last 10 games overall.<\/p>\n San Antonio 411<\/strong><\/p>\n The Spurs have won three consecutive games but still haven\u2019t solved the problems that have led to an uninspiring 12-9 start.<\/p>\n San Antonio defeated the L.A. Clippers 115-90 on Sunday, easily covering the NBA point spread as a 5.5-point road favorite. The Spurs have covered the spread in two straight games and five of 10 overall.<\/p>\n What the Spurs need to do to win<\/strong><\/p>\n Play good perimeter defense and avoid turnovers.<\/p>\n San Antonio needs to play excellent defense on the perimeter in this matchup as the Suns don\u2019t go inside to anyone but Amare Stoudemire these days and make their living on drive and kick plays initiated by maestro Steve Nash. If San Antonio can avoid their penchant for turning over the ball and getting into a foot-race with the up-tempo Suns, they will stand a much better chance of winning tonight.<\/p>\n The Spurs gave up the ball at least 15 times in three consecutive losses just prior to their current winning streak, so taking care of the ball in this matchup will be crucial.<\/p>\n San Antonio also needs to exploit the Suns\u2019 lack of low post prowess by going to Tim Duncan, Antonio McDyess and DeJuan Blair often in the low post.<\/p>\n What the Suns need to do to win<\/strong><\/p>\n Play some defense.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not telling anyone anything by saying the Suns can score the ball with any team in the league. However, what I am saying is that Phoenix will struggle all season long to beat good defensive teams if they don\u2019t start playing some sort of defense soon.<\/p>\n While the Suns are averaging a whopping 108.4 points per game, they often lose games because they play almost no defense whatsoever.<\/p>\n Phoenix reached the 100-point plateaus just once in their last five losses while giving up at least 105 points in each game. If Phoenix can hold the Spurs to under 100 points, they stand a much better chance of winning.<\/p>\n Analysis: I\u2019m going to play the Phoenix Suns to win this game at home against a Spurs team that has had trouble scoring the ball on occasion this season and averages seven points per game less than their counterparts tonight.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not certain that the Spurs recent play hasn\u2019t looked good simply because they were playing lesser teams in Sacramento, Charlotte and the Clippers and I genuinely believe San Antonio still needs to work out its rotation issues in a hurry.<\/p>\n The Spurs don\u2019t have a big man that can get out on the perimeter and guard Suns center Channing Frye and I expect Steve Nash to put a show on for this big home matchup as the Suns win and cover the spread.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/basketball\/sportsbook_basketball_300x600.gif\")
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