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Warriors vs. Suns Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 8

Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Preview 

The Golden State Warriors (46-32) and Phoenix Suns (35-43) are all set to square off from Footprint Center in Phoenix.

The Warriors are coming off a loss to the Houston Rockets, but have still been playing really good basketball. They have won seven of their last 10 games and are sixth in the Western Conference.

The Warriors are currently 22-17 on the road with a point differential of 3, while the Suns have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Warriors vs. Suns live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Footprint Center
  • City: Phoenix, AZ

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Warriors vs. Suns
The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Warriors (-333), Suns (+267)
  • Spread:  Warriors -8
  • Over/Under: 228 points

That gives the Warriors an implied team point total of 117.08, and the Suns 112.91.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday's Warriors vs. Suns game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Warriors -9…

Thomas: “ A nine-point spread seems kind of big, doesn’t it? That logic comes from a clouded expectation of a team's reputation over their on-the-court performance. The Suns have been bad, and are still without Kevin Durant.

The Sun's offense has been their weakness this season. With how well the Warriors have been defensively, it’s hard to imagine the Suns can remain competitive for four quarters.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Warriors & Suns game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Golden State Warriors on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Phoenix Suns at +8.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 228.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Why Steph vs. Booker matchup is key to Warriors-Suns outcome

Why Steph vs. Booker matchup is key to Warriors-Suns outcome originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Stephen Curry yearns for a comeback game to lift the Warriors to victory.

Devin Booker needs a comeback season to return the Phoenix Suns to relevance.

The high-scoring guards share the spotlight Tuesday night in a game featuring two teams with opposite goals. The Warriors (46-32) desperately want to avoid the Western Conference play-in tournament, while the Suns (35-43) are hoping, against odds, a strong final week will put them in the play-in.

Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins with Warriors Pregame Live at 6 p.m., with tipoff from PHX Arena scheduled for 7.

The Warriors are locked in a furious five-team battle for the final three spots to finish among the top six teams in the West and earn a guaranteed playoff berth. A loss to Houston on Sunday dropped them from fifth place to sixth. If they finish any lower, they’re in the play-in.

Curry managed only three points against a physically hyperactive Rockets defense, led by rangy Amen Thompson, designed to limit his production. He shot 1-of-10 from the field, including 1-of-8 from distance, and never got to the foul line. It was the first time this season that Curry played at least 25 minutes and failed to score in double digits.

It was a steep drop for Curry, who scored 125 points (41.7 per game) over the previous three games, all victories against opponents above them in the standings. He’ll be facing a much lesser defense than fourth-ranked Houston, as the Suns are 27th in defense.

Booker, Curry’s teammate on Team USA’s gold-medal-winning 2024 Olympics team in Paris, has been productive, averaging 25.9 points per game, but his efficiency is slightly below his career averages.

Projected to be among the top four teams in the West, the presence of Booker and fellow stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal has not been enough to prevent the Suns – who have the highest payroll in the NBA – from being the league’s most disappointing team. They sit in 11th place in the West.

Since winning eight of their first nine games under new coach Mike Budenholzer, the Suns are 15 games under .500. They have lost six in a row, the last three without Durant, whose sprained left ankle will keep him from facing his former Golden State teammates.

Changes are coming to Phoenix this summer. Budenholzer likely will be sacked and all signs point to Durant landing on another roster.

The Warriors will try to exploit a reeling opponent while also getting Curry back on track.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Lakers vs. Thunder Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 8

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview 

The Los Angeles Lakers (48-30) and Oklahoma City Thunder (64-14) are all set to square off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

They played against each other two nights ago, and the Lakers won 126-99. That loss to the Lakers was the second straight loss for the Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 26 points, and Jalen Williams was the Thunder’s second highest scorer with 16.

This was the first time since mid-December where the Thunder were held to less than 100 points.

The Lakers are currently 18-20 on the road with a point differential of 1, while the Thunder have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Lakers vs. Thunder live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Lakers vs. Thunder
The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Lakers (+653), Thunder (-1000)
  • Spread:  Thunder -14.5
  • Over/Under: 225 points

That gives the Lakers an implied team point total of 111.54, and the Thunder 119.09.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday's Lakers vs. Thunder game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Shai Gilegous-Alexander over 31.5 points…

Thomas: “The Lakers made a massive statement in the last game against the Thunder. Not only beating them by 30 points, but by holding them to under 100 points. I expect a massive rebound from the Thunder tonight.

SGA will likely spearhead that rebound. He scored 26 points without a single trip to the free throw line. A lot of SGA’s domination comes from the charity stripe. If he wants his team to overcome this mini-skid, I expect him to give maximum effort.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Lakers & Thunder game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Lakers at +14.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 225.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Lakers vs. Thunder on Tuesday

  • The Thunder have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Pacific Division teams
  • 5 of the Lakers' last 7 matchups with the Thunder have stayed under the Total
  • The Thunder are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite

The Thunder have won 17 of their last 20 games at home
 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Watch Zach LaVine put up 43, 17 in fourth quarter, as Kings pull away from Pistons for key win

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons

Apr 7, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (8) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The postseason got closer to coming to Sacramento on Monday night.

Behind a clutch game from Zach LaVine — who scored 17 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter — the gritty Kings picked a road win on the second night of a back-to-back, pulling away from the Pistons in the fourth quarter to win 127-117.

"All this stuff with us starts with defense and we have to lock in defensively..." said a frustrated J.B. Bickerstaff (via Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press), who watched his Pistons get outscored 65-45 in the second half. "And 18 offensive rebounds is too many offensive rebounds. It's hard to get your transition game going when you're giving them second and third opportunities."

With the win, the Kings have a one-game lead over the Mavericks for the No. 9 seed in the West, meaning Sacramento would host Dallas in the first play-in game.

Detroit remains the No. 6 seed in the East with the loss, but now is 1.5 games behind Milwaukee (two in the loss column), making it far less likely the Pistons will climb up to the standings. Finishing sixth would mean facing the Knicks in the first round.

DeMar DeRozan had a big night and scored 37 points for the Kings, who trailed by as many as 18 in the first half (when DeRozan was really carrying them). Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double: 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Cade Cunningham had 35 to lead the Pistons.

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Nuggets fire coach Malone, GM Booth in shocking move

Nuggets fire coach Malone, GM Booth in shocking move originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Another Western Conference playoff contender is making a coaching change.

Just weeks after the Memphis Grizzlies moved on from Taylor Jenkins, the Denver Nuggets are firing Michael Malone.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news on Tuesday, and later added that general manager Calvin Booth has also been fired. Assistant coach David Adelman, who has worked for Malone since 2017, will serve as the interim head coach. The team later confirmed Charnaia’s reports in a press release.

Malone led the Nuggets to their only championship less than two years ago in 2025. He had been Denver’s head coach since 2015, compiling a 471-327 record with 44 playoff wins over that span.

Booth took over as Nuggets general manager in 2022 when Tim Connelly left for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite winning the title in his first season at the helm, many of the roster moves that set up the victory were made by Connelly.

This season has started to unravel for the Nuggets in recent weeks, with the team going 3-7 in their last 10 games. Denver has lost four straight games to fall to 47-32, good for fourth in the West — but tied with the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth seeds in the loss column.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has never played for another coach since being drafted, his rookie season was Malone’s first in Denver.

The Nuggets have three games left in the regular season — Wednesday at the Sacramento Kings, Friday against the Grizzlies and Sunday at the Houston Rockets.

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Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth in stunning move

Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth in stunning move originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Another Western Conference playoff contender is making a coaching change.

Just weeks after the Memphis Grizzlies moved on from Taylor Jenkins, the Denver Nuggets are firing Michael Malone.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news on Tuesday, and later added that general manager Calvin Booth has also been fired. Assistant coach David Adelman, who has worked for Malone since 2017, will serve as the interim head coach. The team later confirmed Charnaia’s reports in a press release.

Malone led the Nuggets to their only championship less than two years ago in 2025. He had been Denver’s head coach since 2015, compiling a 471-327 record with 44 playoff wins over that span.

Booth took over as Nuggets general manager in 2022 when Tim Connelly left for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite winning the title in his first season at the helm, many of the roster moves that set up the victory were made by Connelly.

This season has started to unravel for the Nuggets in recent weeks, with the team going 3-7 in their last 10 games. Denver has lost four straight games to fall to 47-32, good for fourth in the West — but tied with the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth seeds in the loss column.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has never played for another coach since being drafted, his rookie season was Malone’s first in Denver.

The Nuggets have three games left in the regular season — Wednesday at the Sacramento Kings, Friday against the Grizzlies and Sunday at the Houston Rockets.

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Kings beat Pistons to boost post-season hopes

Zach LaVine celebrates a basket
Zach LaVine scored eight three-pointers [Getty Images]

The Sacramento Kings boosted their NBA post-season hopes with a 127-117 win at the Detroit Pistons.

Zach LaVine scored 43 points and DeMar DeRozan 37 for the Kings, who came from 18 points down to secure a third successive victory.

They remain ninth in the Western Conference, one win ahead of the Dallas Mavericks.

Teams finishing from seventh to 10th qualify for the play-in tournament, which runs from 15-18 April.

The only side who can deny the Kings are the 11th-placed Phoenix Suns, who have three fewer wins with four regular-season games remaining.

The Miami Heat, assured of a play-in place in the East, won 117-105 at home against the already eliminated Philadelphia 76ers, who suffered a 12th successive defeat.