Phoenix Suns vs Washington Wizards 12/16/21 NBA Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Phoenix Suns play host to the Washington Wizards at the Footprint Center on Thursday night.

The Washington Wizards have been in a slump as they’ve lost six of their past seven games and they will be hoping to put an end to a three-game skid after getting routed by the Kings in a 119-105 road loss last night. Bradley Beal led the team with 30 points and five assists on 13 of 24 shooting, Deni Avdija added 15 points while Daniel Gafford and Montrezl Harrell each scored 14 points. As a team, the Wizards shot 47 percent from the field and a miserly five of 24 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in full control after pouring in 32 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 12 points, before going ice-cold in the fourth quarter where they were outscored by 35-16 as the Kings ran them down. Kyle Kuzma’s rough season continues as he scored just six points on three of 10 shooting while Spencer Dinwiddie finished with just four points on two of eight shooting.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been in decent form as they’ve won three of their past four games and they will be looking to stay hot after outlasting the Trail Blazers in a 111-107 overtime road win on Tuesday. DeAndre Ayton led the team with 28 points and 13 rebounds on 12 of 17 shooting, Chris Paul added 24 points with eight rebounds and 14 assists while Cameron Payne chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Suns shot 47 percent from the field and 11 of 31 from the 3-point line as they squandered an early 14-point lead, before escaping with the win in overtime thanks to some clutch shooting from Paul and solid defense to hold the Trail Blazers to just five points in overtime.  

Looking at the betting trends, the Wizards are 28-11-2 ATS in their last 41 games playing on zero days’ rest, 0-4-1 ATS in their last five road games and 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games overall. The Suns are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games against a team with a losing road record and 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games playing on one days’ rest.

Head to head, the over is 6-0 in the last six meetings overall and the Wizards are 8-17 ATS in the last 25 meetings overall.

The Wizards are coming into this game in rough shape and their confidence took another hit after getting beaten by the slumping Kings last night. In contrast, the Suns have been in red-hot form despite playing without Devin Booker and they have home-court advantage and extra rest as they haven’t played since their overtime win on Tuesday. The Wizards are only 8-17 ATS in the last 25 meetings overall and I think that trend continues here as the Suns should get the win and cover at home.