The Los Angeles Lakers travel to the Mortgage Matchup Center to take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Here’s a Suns vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Suns vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in decent form as they’ve split their last eight games overall. But they will be looking to bounce back in this one after getting trounced by the struggling Clippers in a 103-88 road defeat on Saturday. LeBron James led the team with 36 points on 15 of 28 shooting, Luka Doncic scored 12 points before leaving the game early while Jake LaRavia chipped in with 12 points, but no other player finished in double figures in points. As a team, the Lakers shot just 39 percent from the field and a miserly six of 38 from the 3-point line as they got off to an ice-cold start. They were always playing from behind after scoring just 15 points in the first quarter. Marcus Smart had a night to forget as he shot just one of 12 from the field and zero of nine from the 3-point line to finish with just five points.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been in a slump, as they’ve lost six of their last nine games overall. They will be eager for a better result after coming up just short to the Warriors in a 119-116 road defeat on Saturday. Devin Booker led the team with 38 points and five assists on 13 of 27 shooting, Dillon Brooks added 22 points on eight of 11 shooting, while Collin Gillespie chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Suns shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 35 from the 3-point line as they poured in 44 points in the first quarter to jump out to a quick 14-point lead. But they went cold and could never reclaim the lead after scoring just 20 points in the third quarter. Royce O’Neale scored just five points on two of seven shooting, while Mark Williams finished with just four points.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Lakers have lost eight of their last nine road games against Suns teams that held a winning record.
- The Suns have won 12 of their last 13 games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Suns have covered the spread in six of their last seven games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last seven games following a loss.
- The Suns have lost four of their last five games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games following a loss.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last nine games as road underdogs following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Suns’ last eight home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Mark Williams ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for FG% (66.5%) this season.
- Jordan Goodwin ranks 6th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.5) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Deandre Ayton ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (71.0%) this season.
- Marcus Smart is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Suns rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (11.1).
- The Suns rank 30th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (80.9%).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.7).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (22.8).
Suns vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still missing Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Luka Doncic with Austin Reaves listed as questionable, while the Suns have ruled out Jalen Green and Grayson Allen again. These teams have already met twice this season, with the latest game going to the Suns by 116-114 on Sunday despite 29 points from Doncic. So, it’s no surprise to see them open as favorites at home, especially with the Lakers missing three key players. Of course, the Lakers still have more than enough to pull off the upset if James can have another big game, but the Suns will be out for revenge. I think they can take care of business with a narrow win and cover in this spot.