Kings vs. Suns prediction: NBA odds, picks, best bets for Tuesday’s Western Conference clash

The defending Pacific Division champion Sacramento Kings have hit the skids of late, losing a pair of games to Eastern Conference heavyweights on their five-game road trip.

Philadelphia routed Sacramento, 112-93, on Friday night before the Kings had their hearts ripped out by Damian Lillard on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in Sunday’s 143-142 overtime loss at Milwaukee.

The road-weary Kings look for their third win in three tries over the Suns this season as they head to Phoenix on Tuesday night.

Sacramento topped Phoenix twice in December, including a 114-106 victory at Footprint Center as three-point favorites. The Kings won the most recent matchup at home, 120-105, as four-point favorites, highlighted by a 28-point performance by Domantas Sabonis.

Phoenix returns home following a pair of victories over the Lakers and Trail Blazers.

In Sunday’s 127-116 win at Portland, Devin Booker posted 34 points as all five Suns starters finished in double figures. However, the Suns failed to cover as 14-point favorites.

Phoenix closed as an underdog in each of the first two matchups with the Kings due to various injuries. However, the Suns are back to full strength with Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the lineup, which should start turning things around in the Valley following a slow start.

After a lackluster win over a shorthanded Portland team Sunday, Beal appeared to call out his teammates for a lack of defensive effort – especially in closing out games – and for not getting the ball into Durant’s hands enough. 

Sometimes that’s the leadership needed when a talented team like Phoenix can’t get on an extended winning streak. 

And with the Suns finally back to full strength, the arrow is pointed up for this team. 

Yes, the Kings have covered in four straight games against the Suns and are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings overall. And yes, Phoenix owns the NBA’s second-worst mark against the spread (14-24-1) this season.

But this will be the fifth straight road game in a week for Sacramento, which is just 10-9 straight up on the road. 

More importantly, the Suns’ Big Three are back on the court at the same time and that changes everything for them and potentially the landscape in the Western Conference. 

Let’s lay the points and back the Suns at home to take their win streak to three games.