NBA 2026 Season: Phoenix Suns Defense Explained for Online Sports Betting

How The Phoenix Suns Play Defense In 2025–26

Jordan Ott took over this season and has them leaning into effort, length and toughness. These Suns became a "hustling, hard-working and unassuming group" after an offseason overhaul that sent Durant to the Rockets and removed Beal's contract from the books.

Key context for NBA sports betting for Phoenix Suns:

• Defensive ranking: 6th in scoring defense at 113.3 points allowed per game
• Defensive efficiency: about 110.2 points allowed per 100 possessions, firmly top-10
• Identity: "tough, gritty, together, selfless," per Ott, with activity and energy sky-high

Their current probable starting lineup in big games: PG Devin Booker, SG Dillon Brooks, SF Ryan Dunn, PF Royce O'Neale, C Mark Williams.

Jalen Green (hamstring) has played only two games and is out 4–6 weeks. Grayson Allen is also out with a quad contusion. So this defense is being built around role guys and grinders, not the old star trio.

For online sports betting, that means: don't handicap Suns games like the old "all offense, no stops" version. This is a mid-tempo, physical team with legit defensive teeth.

Read more: How Betting Predictions Use Data Trends and Matchups

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Three Key Defensive Players Bettors Must Track

All three of these guys are on the 2025–26 roster and actually playing defense for Phoenix right now.

Dillon Brooks – tone-setter and steal merchant

Dillon Brooks is the emotional engine. In his first season in Phoenix, he's scoring a career-best 21.4 points per game and swiping 2.1 steals per game, constantly getting under opponents' skin.

Betting read: When Brooks is active and playing big minutes, star wings and scoring guards see more pressure. That makes some points and threes overs less attractive. If he's in foul trouble or out, that's when you can attack those same overs.

Ryan Dunn – young wing stopper

Ryan Dunn came in as a defense-first wing and has already earned a starting spot. He's part of the "youth and defense" reset, with big defensive plays that swing games.

Betting read: Dunn will usually see the main athletic wing or slashing forward. When Dunn and Brooks share the floor, perimeter scorers have to work hard for buckets. If Dunn's minutes dip or Ott goes smaller, opposing wings can eat.

Mark Williams – interior anchor and glass cleaner

Phoenix traded for Mark Williams to fix their biggest flaw: soft rim protection and poor rebounding. He's been called a "brick wall in the paint" and a "true interior anchor," noting he can be the backbone of a defense if healthy.

He's now the starting center, leading the Suns in rebounds at 8.2 per game and adding almost a block per night.

Betting read: When Williams plays real minutes, easy paint points dry up and second-chance boards drop. When he sits or is limited, you can flip that and target opponent big overs.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Where The Suns Get Stops – And Where You Can Attack

The Suns have rebuilt their defensive identity from scratch, and the results are showing up in the numbers.

Defensive strengths:

Top-tier effort and energy. They show a "tough, gritty, together" attitude, with very high activity levels and everyone flying around. That shows up as deflections, steals, and late-clock contests.

Wing defense and versatility. Brooks and Dunn give Ott two strong options on the perimeter. Royce O'Neale is another solid, switchable forward who can guard multiple positions.

Improved interior presence. Williams gives them a real rim deterrent and rebounder, something the Suns badly lacked in previous seasons.

Defensive weaknesses:

Guarding without fouling when Brooks goes nuclear. Brooks' hyper-physical style can lead to fouls and free throws. In games where whistles are tight, opponent stars may get to the line more.

Depth and injuries at the 2. Jalen Green has played just two games due to a hamstring strain. Grayson Allen is out with a quad contusion. That means more minutes for bench guards who are solid but not All-Defense types.

Only one true big they trust. Williams' health is still the swing factor, and the backups are more like insurance. If Williams gets in foul trouble, the rim and glass open up fast.

For sports betting picks, that translates into: Lean under when the main group is intact and rested. Be open to overs when Williams is limited or when the opponent has a dominant big and strong shooters.

Read more: Predictions for Spreads, Totals, and Props Explained

How Suns Defense Shows Up In Sports Betting Odds

Books still see Phoenix as a mid-tier Western playoff team, but the new defensive profile is pushing totals and lines into a tighter range.

Game totals often sit in the low-to-mid 220s because they mix a solid defense with a Booker-led offense. Point spread betting often has them as small home favorites versus average teams, but their defensive effort makes them dangerous as underdogs too.

Read more: Why Matchups Matter in Betting Predictions

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Simple Example: Using Suns Defense For A Betting Angle

Let's say Phoenix is at home versus a team with a star scoring wing and a strong rebounding center. The board shows: Game total 223.5, Opponent team total 109.5, Star wing points line 27.5, Center rebounds line 11.5.

Injury report: Jalen Green out with hamstring strain, Grayson Allen out with quad contusion, Dillon Brooks Ryan Dunn Mark Williams all active and starting.

Your story: Brooks and Dunn split the star wing assignment, with constant pressure and physical defense. Williams controls the glass enough that the center has to really work for those 12 boards. Ott is fine winning a grindy, 108–101 type game if the defense is rolling.

Possible angle: Star wing under 27.5 points, Opponent center under 11.5 rebounds or just stay away if the matchup is tight, Opponent team total under 109.5 or a safer alt under.

Read more: How to Use Predictions Without Blindly Following Them

Best Angles For NBA Sports Betting For Phoenix Suns (Defense Edition)

Quick cheat sheet:

Lean under or cautious over when:

• Brooks, Dunn and O'Neale all start and Mark Williams is healthy
• The opponent is average or worse on offense, especially inside the arc
• The Suns are at home and not on a brutal back-to-back

Be more open to overs when:

• Williams is out or in foul trouble (rim and glass get softer)
• Brooks is out, leaving fewer options for that top wing assignment
• The opponent has elite spacing and a star big who can pull Williams into tough spots

Prop angles to watch:

• Opponent big-man rebounds and points in the paint overs when Williams is limited
• Opponent star wing unders when both Brooks and Dunn are healthy
• Suns steals props or defensive stat boosts versus sloppy offenses

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