Suns vs Thunder Prediction

Explore expert insights on the Suns vs Thunder matchup, with key player highlights, team stats, and projected game outcomes.

Spencer Toth

Updated on July 17, 2025

This is a crucial NBA matchup in the West Group B of the Emirates NBA Cup. The Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder have both been hit with recent injuries, but that shouldn’t affect their goals this season. Kevin Durant of the Suns and Chet Holmgren of the Thunder will both miss several weeks, but there is still tons of superstar talent on the court. Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have quite the battle on the outside, and the Thunder are slight favorites on the NBA odds. The second season of the NBA Cup (formerly the in-season tournament) will draw millions of eyes to the court after a successful first year. The expert picks and NBA predictions for the Suns vs Thunder matchup are ready for the big game. 

NBA odds
NBA odds

Matchup: Suns vs Thunder Overview

  • Teams: Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Date: Friday, November 15th, 2024
  • Time: Tip-off is at 7:00 PM local time, or 8:00 PM EST
  • Venue: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Win Probabilities:

This is a must-win NBA Cup game for both teams as they find themselves in a very competitive West Group B. According to the NBA win probabilities, the Phoenix Suns are slight road underdogs, as the expert picks and insights give them a 45.80% chance to win. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a 54.20% chance to win thanks to their hot start to the season and home-court advantage for this NBA game.

Projected Final Score:

The projected final score for the upcoming NBA game has been calculated using insights, expert picks, and predictions. The projected final score for the Phoenix Suns’ road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder is Oklahoma City Thunder 115-112 Phoenix Suns.

Suns vs Thunder Odds

The NBA odds for the upcoming NBA Cup game between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder are very tight. The home-court advantage for the Oklahoma City Thunder has given them a slight edge on the NBA odds, but the Suns are more than capable of pulling off the upset. Both of these offensive units have been hit with injuries, and as a result. 

Expert Prediction: Who Wins? 

Why the Phoenix Suns Could Win

The Phoenix Suns have gotten off to an 8-2 start to the season and have shown no signs of slowing down. Kevin Durant’s injury could derail their aspirations, but they still have enough scoring from Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to overcome this shortfall. 

Booker has gotten off to a flying start this season, scoring 23.1 PPG while tacking on 7.3 assists. His points are right on his career average, but the distribution from Booker has vaulted him into the next tier of the NBA superstars. Booker’s ability to find his teammates has been fully displayed since Durant’s injury. He’s posted 12 assists in back-to-back games, and the Thunder will struggle to break up the passing lanes with Chet Holmgren in the lineup. 

NBA odds
NBA odds

Bradley Beal may be out of his prime, but the 3-time NBA All-Star will be leaned on now that Durant is injured. Beal is the perfect third star, as his defensive abilities pair up nicely with traditional NBA superstars. However, now that Durant is out for at least a few weeks, Beal will be needed on the offensive end. Beal has been an offensive workhorse previously in his career, and his partnership with Booker could flourish at the perfect time to upset the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. 

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder Could Win

The Thunder have defied expectations before, and a recent injury to Holmgren will not change that fact. The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first seven games of the season by 12 or more points, but they have gone just 1-2 since then. Losses to the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors can be forgiven, but it is crunch time for the Thunder if they want to add some early-season silverware to their cabinet. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have a big role to play as the MVP front-runner continues to get better with each passing season. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20+ points in all but one game this season, as his consistent volume on the offensive end will give the Thunder a great chance to win. The absence of Holmgren will put the ball into Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands even more, and he could easily erupt for 30+ points against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup. 

The Thunder have been a strong offensive team, and their defense is one of the best units in the league. Oklahoma City will look to slow down a short-handed Suns roster to secure a massive victory in the opening game of the NBA Cup. 

How to Make Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder Picks

There is no doubt about the place to make your free NBA picks and predictions for the upcoming matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sportzino offers the best NBA odds for every NBA game this season, including all 67 Emirates NBA Cup games. Sportzino has the best spreads, totals, moneylines, and player props this NBA season. The wide variety of NBA odds available on Sportzino is a huge positive aspect for you, but make sure you carefully examine all the options before locking in your NBA predictions for the Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs matchup. 

About Author

Spencer Toth

Full Name: Spencer Toth.

Position: Sports Writer, NBA, NFL, UFC.

Social media: Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Bio

I started my own sports picks business in 2020 and haven't looked back. I love everything related to sports and am a diehard Toronto sports fan. My passion for creating content that brings casual and hardcore sports fans together is unmatched.

Experience

  • Business Owner — June 2020 — Present.
  • Sports Writer — February 2021 — Present.
  • Social Media Creator — October 2021 — Present.

Education

Graduated Concordia University with a Bachelor's in Urban Planning and Economics in 2022.

What helps Spencer Toth be up to date?

I am constantly up to date with all the latest sports news by using TheScore, TSN, and X. Staying up to date is crucial in this industry, and is possible regardless of what platform you use. X (formerly Twitter) is the best source for the latest sports news, as I receive updates just seconds after they get released to the public. When your world is sports, it's hard to miss the latest updates from all the top leagues around the world.

FAQ

  1. Do you have a favorite type of casino game or sports event you enjoy writing about?

    My all-time favorite sports event is the UFC. There is something special about two people walking in and only one walking out. Fighting is the oldest sport in human history, and you never know what will happen when the cage door closes.

  2. What advice would you give to someone new to sports predicting?

    Monitor your performance and accept poor days. If you are carelessly making predictions, there's no learning derived from the results. Staying ahead is challenging, and it’s impossible to succeed every single day.

  3. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in sports?

    It's not hard to stay up-to-date with trends when your life is sports! All day and all night sports are on my mind, but if I do miss something, X is always the most up-to-date source online.

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