Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Preview, and Odds

It’s a quarterfinal matchup of the in-season NBA Tournament as a pair of Western Conference foes lock up on the hardwood in the City of Angels. The Phoenix Suns are on the road as they make the trip to take on the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night with the winner advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas. Phoenix took down Memphis 116-109 at home in the second game of a back-to-back situation Saturday night, though they failed to cover the line as a 9.5-point favorite, in their previous contest. Los Angeles dropped Houston 107-97 at home Saturday night, covering the line as a 4.5-point favorite, in their previous game. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Lakers own a 150-115 advantage and have won the last four meetings. That includes a pair of meetings this season with a 122-119 road triumph in the most recent clash on November 10.

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Phoenix Suns Look to Down the Lake Show

Phoenix snapped a two-game skid as they took down Memphis at home in the second game of a back-to-back situation Saturday night. The Suns entered Monday 12-8 on the season and were tied with the Kings for the top spot in the Pacific Division standings. Against Memphis, Phoenix was even after the opening quarter, trailed by one at the half and by two with 8:28 to play in the third quarter before reeling off a 14-0 run to take a 69-57 advantage with 5:57 remaining in the stanza. The Suns never let the Grizzlies closer than six the rest of the way en route to the win. Phoenix shot 43.4% from the field, including nine of 26 from three-point range, and knocked down 35 of 43 free throw attempts in the win. Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win.

The Suns enter this contest 11 in the league in scoring offense as they average 116.2 points per game on the year. Phoenix stands 14 in rebounding with an average of 44.1 boards per contest while they are 13 by dishing out an average of 26 assists per contest. The Suns are 17 in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 113.2 points per game this season. Devin Booker is second on the team with 27.9 points plus 8.4 assists per game this season. Kevin Durant (31 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists), Bradley Beal (17.3 points), Eric Gordon (14.7 points) and Grayson Allen (11.8 points, 4.6 rebounds) are good offensive weapons. Jusuf Nurkic (12.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists), Josh Okogie, Keita Bates-Diop, Jordan Goodwin, Drew Eubanks, Yuta Watanabe and Nassir Little are solid contributors in the rotation. Phoenix is 17 in field goal percentage by shooting 47.1% from the floor as a team on the year. The Suns are 16 as they knock down an average of 12.4 three-pointers a night while the team is 4 as they splash 38.4% of their attempts from beyond the arc this season.

Damion Lee (knee) was injured during training camp and remains without a timetable for return as he works his way back. Beal (back) last played on November 12 and has played just three games: he is expected to be out until mid-December at best. Gordon (knee) missed Saturday’s game and is considered questionable for this contest.

Los Angeles Lakers Seek Fifth Straight Win vs. Suns

Los Angeles has alternated wins and losses in their last six games as they took down Houston at home in their previous contest Saturday night. The Lakers entered Monday third in the Pacific Division with a 12-9 record, leaving them half a game behind the Kings and Suns for the top spot in the division. Against Houston, Los Angeles trailed by five after the opening quarter and trailed by four in the second quarter before reeling off a 20-0 run that gave them a 54-38 advantage with 2:29 remaining in the first half. The Lakers were up 16 at the half and never let the Rockets closer than 10 in the second half en route to the loss. Los Angeles shot 44.9% from the field, including eight of 27 from three-point range, and held the Rockets to 40.4% shooting in the game. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 27 points and 14 rebounds in the victory.

The Lakers are 20 in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 112.5 points per game. Los Angeles is 15 in rebounding with 44.1 boards per contest and 10 in assists with 26.2 per game. The Lakers stand 18 in the league in scoring defense as they allow 113.5 points per night. LeBron James is leading the team with 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists per contest this season. Anthony Davis contributes 22.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks a night while D’Angelo Russell chips in 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per contest. Austin Reaves (13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists) and Rui Hachimura (11.8 points) each average in double figures. Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes are looked to contribute for coach Darvin Ham. The Lakers are 5 in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 48.7% from the floor as a team. Los Angeles is 30 in the league with 9.9 triples per game while standing 29 in three-point shooting by shooting 33.7% from downtown.

Vincent (knee) last played on October 30 and is expected to be out until mid-December.

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The Lakers have had Phoenix’s number of late but one has to wonder if they can maintain that momentum here. Los Angeles hasn’t faced the Durant/Booker combination in either meeting this season. In the first matchup, Booker and Beal both missed the contest while in the second meeting, Beal played one of his three games to date while Booker was out. We just saw Booker have a big game against Memphis Saturday night and Durant has been solid as well. The Lakers have their 1-2 punch of Davis and James though you always have to be concerned with the injury bug with those guys. Phoenix is motivated to earn a win here against a team that has beaten them four straight times and they want a shot at the NBA Cup crown. Give the edge to the Suns here as they earn the win.

Prediction: Phoenix Suns +2

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Phoenix enters the game having gone over the number in 14 of their first 20 games this season entering this game. The Suns are 23rd in turnovers per game in the league with 15 per contest. Phoenix is below average in terms of tempo by ranking 27th in pace with 97.2 possessions a night. Los Angeles enters this game with the under posting a 12-9 mark in their 21 games on the year. The Lakers are 22nd in turnovers with an average of 14.9 miscues per contest. Los Angeles is 7th in the league in tempo with an average of 100.4 possessions per game. Four of the last five meetings have gone over the number. With both teams having a little rest and most of the big stars on the floor here, this game goes over the number.

Prediction: Over 226.5

Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it's playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he's checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO.  If it's out there, he's covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career.  Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He's written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you're looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.