The Golden State Warriors visit the desert Thursday night to face the Phoenix Suns for the first time this season.  It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Warriors-Suns prediction and pick.

The Warriors hold an overall record of 10-8, and they are 9-9 against the spread. Golden State is coming off a pair of blowout victories over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Suns hold identical overall and against the spread records, with both at 8-8. Phoenix is coming off a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on their home floor.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Warriors-Suns odds.

NBA Odds: Warriors-Suns Odds

Golden State Warriors +2.5 (-112)

Phoenix Suns -2.5 (-108)

Over 220.5 PTS (-110)

Under 219.5 PTS (-110)

Why The Warriors Could Cover The Spread

Warriors

Thursday's matchup will be strength against strength, and the Warriors have been beating teams with their strength for years: three-point shooting.

Obviously, the Dubs don't have Klay Thompson flying around picks or Kevin Durant draining 30-foot pull-up treys, but their roster can still stroke it from deep. Four Warriors are shooting 39% or better from beyond the arc on 4+ attempts per game.

Golden State is currently shooting the fifth most three-pointers in the league, making the eighth most.

This is largely due to Stephen Curry. The MVP candidate is making a whopping 4.3 threes a game on 39% shooting, single-handedly demoralizing teams with impossible looking bombs.

Golden State is living off these shots. When Curry makes four or more three-pointers, they are 8-4. Anything less than that, and the Dubs are 2-4. Look for the Warriors to involve Curry early to get him going against a stingy Suns defense.

On the defensive end, Golden State has bled points, but it's not like Phoenix is lighting opponents up. The Suns average the third-least points in the league.

The Warriors should turn this game into a shootout and wear down a Phoenix defense that just had to play grueling minutes in a close game the previous night.

Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread

Devin Booker Suns

The key to this game for Phoenix will be the defensive end, an area where they have a huge leg up on the Warriors.

Phoenix allows the sixth-least points in the league, while the Warriors allow the sixth most.

The Suns aren't turning their opponents over (29th in steals and 22nd in forced turnovers) but they've been great at contesting shots and making opponents work for their buckets.

Feisty perimeter defense from Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges has held opponents to the third-least three-point makes in the league, an important factor when facing Steph Curry and company.

On the offensive end, the Suns need someone to step up if Devin Booker can't suit up tonight. The prime candidate is Deandre Ayton.

Golden State has been incapable of cleaning the boards, and they allow the most offensive rebounds in the league.

This is a dream matchup for Ayton, who averages 3.4 ORB a game, seventh most in the league. Look for the big man to get his share of easy put-backs tonight.

If Ayton has a big game and the Suns can limit Curry, they will open up a big enough gap to cover the small spread.

Final Warriors-Suns Prediction & Pick

The Suns might boast a superior defense, but the Warriors have a far superior offense. On the second night of a back-to-back, I'll put my money on the more talented offensive team. I predict the Phoenix defense lets them down and the Warriors continue to roll with an upset in the desert.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: GSW 115, PHX 111 (GSW +2.5)