Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns 12/21/21 NBA Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers duke it out at the Staples Center on Tuesday night.

The Phoenix Suns have been rock-solid all season as they’ve won 24 of their first 29 games and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after blowing past the Hornets in a 137-106 home win on Sunday. JaVale McGee led the team in scoring with 19 points on nine of 10 shooting off the bench, Devin Booker, and Mikal Bridges each scored 16 points, DeAndre Ayton tallied 15 points with 15 rebounds and three blocks while Chris Paul chipped in with 14 points and nine assists. As a team, the Suns shot 56 percent from the field and a sizzling 20 of 41 from the 3-point line as they dominated right from the start, outscoring the Hornets by 37-15 in the first quarter which allowed them to cruise the rest of the way. A total of nine players finished in double figures in scoring and Booker looked great in his return to the lineup as he clocked 26 minutes for the game.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in decent shape as they’ve won six of their past 10 games, but they will be looking to snap a two-game skid in this one after falling just short to the Bulls in a 115-110 road loss on Sunday. LeBron James led the team with 31 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, Carmelo Anthony provided the spark off the bench with 21 points on seven of 17 shooting while Russell Westbrook racked up 20 points with nine rebounds and eight assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 51 percent from the field and 12 of 34 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the Bulls for most of the game until the fourth quarter where the Bulls poured in 32 points to pull away late. The Lakers currently have a total of six players in health and safety protocols while Anthony Davis is out with the sprained left knee.

Looking at the betting trends, the Suns are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games following a win of more than 10 points and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. The Lakers are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 home games, 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games against a team with a winning record and 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a loss.

Head to head, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings overall and the Suns are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings overall.

The Lakers have been hit hard by the league health and safety protocols as they are missing eight players including their head coach, so a lot will depend on James, Anthony and Westbrook with Anthony Davis going down with injury. The Suns have been the benchmark team of the league all season and their confidence must be sky-high after beating the Hornets by 31 points on Sunday. With Booker back in the lineup for the Suns and the Lakers severely depleted, I’m taking the Suns who are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings overall.