The San Antonio Spurs (11-4) roll into Phoenix looking to extend their success. The Suns (10-6) sit hungry at home on Nov. 23. San Antonio’s chasing a fourth straight win. Phoenix has won 7-of-11 games recently. The matchup tips at 8 p.m. ET from Mortgage Matchup Center.
🔥 Quick Facts:
Suns enter as 2.5-point favorites with moneyline at -145
Victor Wembanyama (calf) ruled out for Spurs on Sunday
Spurs are 3-2 on the road while Suns sit 7-2 at home
Over/Under set at 234.5 points for the matchup
Phoenix defeated San Antonio 130-118 on Nov. 2
What Happened in the Suns’ Recent Hot Streak
Phoenix is absolutely rolling right now. They’re 7-1 over their last 8 games and have won six of their last seven against Western Conference opponents. That’s the kind of form that makes road teams nervous. The Suns escaped with a 114-113 thriller against Minnesota Friday. Collin Gillespie hit the go-ahead layup in the final seconds, finishing with 20 points. Phoenix trailed by 8 points with under a minute left before staging an incredible rally.
San Antonio? They’re no slouches themselves. The Spurs beat Atlanta 135-126 on Thursday to extend their win streak to three straight. De’Aaron Fox dropped 26 points. Keldon Johnson added 25. But here’s the problem: Without Victor Wembanyama, their defensive anchor, things get much tougher on the road.
Back in early November, the Suns absolutely dominated. They beat San Antonio 130-118 with Wemby held to just 9 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Phoenix made 9 more three-pointers that night. That’s a massive advantage that could repeat without the Spurs’ generational defensive talent.
Why This Matchup Matters for Both Sides
Here’s what’s really interesting: San Antonio has already lost back-to-back meetings with Phoenix this season. The Suns are 3-1 against the Spurs over their last four matchups. That’s trending. But the bigger story is about what this means for the West standings. Both teams are chasing playoff positioning early. San Antonio sits 4th in the West while Phoenix is 6th. This is the kind of clash that matters come April.
For Spurs fans, losing another game without Wembanyama is brutal. The 23-year-old has been their backbone. For Suns supporters, keeping this incredible stretch alive at home is crucial. They’re 8-1 against the spread at home this season. That’s championship-level dominance on their home court. So yeah, neither team wants this one.
Key Statistical Matchups and Team Trends
The data tells an interesting story here. Take a look at the defensive ratings: both teams are absolutely elite on that end. Phoenix is 8th in defensive rating, allowing 114.0 points per game. San Antonio is even better at 3rd, giving up just 112.3 points per game. But offensively? The Suns average 119.0 points while the Spurs put up 119.3. This thing could get ugly in terms of points.
Team
Record
Last 10
Home/Away
PPG
Suns
10-6
8-2
7-2 (H)
119.0
Spurs
11-4
6-4
3-2 (A)
119.3
Look at San Antonio’s road splits. They’re just 3-2 away from home. That’s concerning. And the Spurs have covered against the spread in three consecutive games when favored, but they’re underdogs here. Devin Booker leads Phoenix with 27.1 points per game. He’s been spectacular. Without San Antonio’s best perimeter defender Stephon Castle (hip, out), Booker could have a field day.
What To Watch For in Sunday’s Showdown
Devin Booker’s usage rate – Will he feast without elite perimeter defense? Expect 29.5 points or more
San Antonio’s bench scoring – Can role players step up without Wembanyama? Critical for Spurs
Three-point shooting battle – Phoenix made 9 more threes last time. Vegas favors repeating that
Under 234.5 – Both defenses are elite. This game could be lower-scoring than expected
Suns covering -2.5 – Home dominance plus Wembanyama absence makes it compelling
Can San Antonio’s Three-Game Streak Continue Without Wembanyama?
This is the real question heading into Sunday night. San Antonio looked fantastic beating Atlanta without their star. De’Aaron Fox proved he’s a legitimate go-to scorer with his 26-point effort. But Phoenix is different. They have one of the sharpest defensive schemes in basketball. And more importantly, they’re playing at home where they’re nearly unbeatable.
The betting market thinks Phoenix wins this one. They’re -2.5 favorites and experts are leaning that way. One analysis called for a 118-113 Suns victory. Another predicted 117-115 in favor of the home team. The games where Wembanyama sits out have consistently shown he matters, especially on the road against premium opponents. Do you think the Spurs can steal one in Phoenix without their defensive centerpiece?
Sources
Fox Sports – Comprehensive game preview and player statistics
USA Today Sportsbook Wire – Official odds and expert betting predictions
ESPN – Game matchups and historical records
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.