Phoenix Suns at Charlotte Bobcats Betting Preview

Opening Line: Suns +2.5 / Bobcats -2.5 O/U 208

Time: 7 PM EST Saturday January 16, 2010 on NBA TV

Tonight the streaking Charlotte Bobcats host the slumping Phoenix Suns. This is a match up of 2 teams heading in different directions, as the Bobcats have won 3 in a row and are 7-3 in their last 10 games and the Suns have lost 2 in a row and are only 5-5 in their last 10 games. Charlotte is in 4th place in the Southeast Division trailing the Orlando Magic by 7 games and the Suns are in 2nd place in the Pacific Division 7 games back of the L.A. Lakers.

This season the Bobcats are 15-4 at home and 23-14 ATS and the Suns are 9-12 on the road and 21-18-1 ATS.

This is a game between two teams with contrasting styles, as Charlotte has the best defense in the league and Phoenix has the best offense in the league.

In their last game Charlotte looked more than impressive schooling the San Antonio Spurs 92-76 last night while the Suns lost to the Atlanta Hawks last night 102-101 on a last second buzzer beating 3-pointer.

In the Bobcats' 3 game winning streak ex Phoenix PF Boris Diaw has averaged 17.3 ppg and 9.3 rpg.

Even though the Suns have started out their road trip 0-2 PF Amare Stoudamire has played well averaging 23.0 ppg and 11.6 rpg in the last five games.

Charlotte PG Raymond Felton has a tall task tonight, as he can help slow down the pace of the game, which will really help the Bobcats, by containing Suns' PG Steve Nash (19.19 ppg), who leads the NBA in assists.

If the Suns can get out and run on the break they have a great chance to win, but if the Bobcats can play a slow tempo half court game they have the advantage.

The Bobcats are one of the toughest teams to beat at home while the Suns are 3 games under .500 on the road this season.

Jason Richardson has to play good D tonight on Stephen Jackson (19.8 ppg), who is Charlotte's leading scorer and go-to guy.

Phoenix is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS win, and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 against teams in the Southeast Division. Charlotte is 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games overall, 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games as a home favorite, and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against teams in the Pacific Division.


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