Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview: Motivations Will Be Hard To Forecast Down in San Antonio

Will two Suns vs Spurs matchups in the final two days of the NBA regular season could have an impact on who wins the top seed in the Western Conference? The Suns need some help if they are going to recapture the top spot in the Western Conference with just a couple of games to play. It doesn’t look likely to happen at this point, so you do have to try and handicap motivation in these final games. Meanwhile, San Antonio is locked into that 10th spot in the West.

Phoenix Suns (49-21) vs San Antonio Spurs (33-37), Bally Sports Network, 2:00 PM ET

Phoenix Motivation Could Be Waning

Phoenix has just two games left. That is enough to tie Utah (and take the #1 seed due to a 3-0 record against the Jazz), but one more win by the Jazz or a loss by the Suns and it will be second place in the West for the Suns.

At this point, the Suns are likely prioritizing health. Center DeAndre Ayton is questionable for this one, and even though he is far from the best player on the team he is tough to replace. The backup bigs do not do nearly as many things as he can.

This team has good depth, so I would definitely not count them out from winning their last couple of games even if they are tinkering a little and not playing their best players for maximum minutes. They are 22-12 SU on the road this season.

San Antonio Just Playing to Keep Sharp

It is hard to know how to evaluate the season of the Spurs. At times they have looked really good and they have finally moved on from LaMarcus Aldridge, but at the same time, it would not surprise if they lost their play-in game by 20 points.

It looks like they might be conceding this one as they have already announced they are going to rest DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl. DeRozan is their top scorer, and Poeltl is their top big man. Guard Derrick White is out for the season too, and he was their second-leading scorer when healthy.

This could definitely be a game where Patty Mills scores a bunch. He always has a couple of games a year where it makes you wonder why he never became a starter for a team other than San Antonio.

If both teams are just taking it easy and playing it safe, the Spurs might steal a win. This is the first of back-to-back games between these teams to close the season.

San Antonio is the consensus play, but they have not been a good bet at home. They are just 14-20 SU and 15-19 ATS at the AT&T Center this season.

Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More