Phoenix Suns picked to make NBA Finals by NBA analyst Jamal Crawford: 'Built for playoffs'
The Phoenix Suns are a disappointing 35-26 this season, currently in sixth place in the NBA's Western Conference (and 2.5 games out of being No. 10 in the conference).
They have a Big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, but injuries have affected the team's chemistry and continuity (with an injury to Booker the latest setback).
It seems as if many fans and NBA analysts are ready to write off the team as an NBA Finals or NBA Championship contender in 2024.
Just not Jamal Crawford.
The former NBA player turned analyst is still high on the Suns' chances this season.
How high?
He is picking Phoenix to make the NBA Finals this season.
Crawford made his prediction in an interview with Betway.com that was published Tuesday, picking the Suns to face the Boston Celtics for the NBA title.
"In the West, I have the Phoenix Suns," Crawford, a 3-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year said. "I feel like they've been struggling in the season. Obviously the fourth quarter struggles, but I don't think they'll stand pat, I think Royce O'Neale was a sneaky pickup. I also think that Phoenix has built for the playoffs, and with Kevin Durant, he won't have the best season per se, but I still feel like he's one of the best players if not the best player in the game, so I just trust him in the playoffs and I trust Devin Booker in the playoffs."
More: NBA playoff picture, standings: Here's every team's chances
Jamal Crawford: Suns 'can make a run' in NBA postseason
Crawford played in 64 games for the Suns in the 2018-19 season, averaging 7.9 points per game in 18.9 minutes per game, but that Suns team was very different from this Suns team.
Devin Booker is the only Suns player from that team still on the Suns. Phoenix went 19-63 on the season, the worst record in the Western Conference.
Crawford likes Phoenix's chances this season.
"Bradley Beal has been a perfect third option, he does a great job playing off of those two (Booker, Durant)," Crawford told Betway. "I don't think they're done yet and I think they can make a run."
NBA MVP odds: Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant, Devin Booker in top 10
What odds say about Phoenix Suns' NBA title chances
Interestingly, Betway's own odds seem to not favor Phoenix's chances in the NBA title chase.
The sportsbook has the Suns down to +1400 in odds to win the 2024 NBA title, fifth in the league, but well behind the Top 4.
The Celtics are the favorite in NBA Championship odds, at +225, followed by the Denver Nuggets at +450 and the Los Angeles Clippers at +500. The Milwaukee Bucks are fourth, at +700.
So Crawford is going a little bit out on a limb with his Suns pick, as Phoenix is third in the Western Conference in those NBA title odds.
There's still a lot of basketball left. You can't count the Suns out yet.
NBA championship odds for every team: Celtics, Nuggets, Clippers favorites
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WANNA BET? Here are the latest Phoenix Suns odds and betting lines
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NBA Finals prediction: Analyst picks Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns
