The Suns are going through a rough patch. Despite having star players, the team has struggled to find consistency. Their recent 105-122 loss to the Denver Nuggets only added to their troubles. The only bright spot in that game was Devin Booker, who scored 24 points, but even his efforts weren’t enough to turn the tide.
Currently, under the leadership of Mike Budenholzer, the Suns are outside the top ten in the Western Conference standings. This is a major setback for a team that was recently considered a strong contender. In the upcoming game, Phoenix must give their all; otherwise, their chances of making the play-in tournament will rapidly decline.
However, not all hope is lost. The Suns have a powerful offensive lineup led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and playing at home could be a crucial advantage. Injuries: Bradley Beal and Cody Martin will miss the game due to injuries. Projected Lineup: Durant – O’Neale, Richards – Jones, Booker.
The Grizzlies have been more consistent. They are battling for second place in the Western Conference, and their players give maximum effort in every game due to fierce competition at the top of the standings.
In their last match, Memphis fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder (112-125), unable to contain the opponent’s offensive power. However, the loss didn’t shake the team’s confidence, and they are now focused on bouncing back in an away game against Phoenix.
Memphis’ main strengths lie in their high-paced game and young, energetic players who excel in aggressive defense. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane work well together on offense, while Jaren Jackson Jr. provides solid defense. Injuries: Marvin Bagley, John Davis, and Cam Spencer will be sidelined due to injuries. Projected Lineup: Jackson – Wells, Edey – Morant, Bane.
Phoenix will have the home-court advantage, which certainly plays in their favor. However, with Beal and Martin out, their roster depth is a concern. Their main hope lies in the star trio of Durant, Booker, and O’Neale, but can they handle Memphis’ high-intensity play?
Memphis, on the other hand, is known for its speed and aggressive defense. Additionally, the statistics favor them: they have won four of their last five games. Notably, in their previous matchup on January 1, 2025, the Grizzlies defeated Phoenix 117-112, giving them a psychological edge.
Considering the current form and playing styles of both teams, this game is expected to be a hard-fought battle. Phoenix will put up a strong fight, but Memphis appears to be the more balanced and consistent team. Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies win by a margin of 5-8 points. Could Phoenix pull off an upset? Possibly, if Booker and Durant deliver peak performances and the defense remains solid. But to achieve that, the Suns will need to play their best basketball.
Memphis has been playing more consistent basketball and is the clear favorite in this matchup. The team is confidently positioned at the top of the standings, with high ambitions for this season. For Phoenix, this is a crucial moment—their chances of making the play-in could take a serious hit if they lose this game. Mike Budenholzer's squad will need to approach the game with complete focus. We anticipate that the home team will put up a strong fight and could even surprise us. The Suns know there is no turning back, and they’ll give their all.
Our prediction: Phoenix wins, considering overtime, at odds of 2.50.
