The Los Angeles Lakers host the Phoenix Suns for a Western Conference tilt on Tuesday evening. The Lakers are 16-15 this season, with the Suns entering at 24-5 and with the NBA's best winning percentage. Frank Kaminsky (knee), Abdel Nader (knee) and Dario Saric (knee) are out for Phoenix. LeBron James (abdominal) and Trevor Ariza (ankle) are listed as probable for Los Angeles, with Anthony Davis (knee), Kent Bazemore (protocols), Avery Bradley (protocols), Malik Monk (protocols), Austin Reaves (protocols) and Kendrick Nunn (knee) ruled out.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Phoenix as the 6.5-point road favorite for this 10 p.m. ET tipoff. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over-under, is 219.5 in the latest Suns vs. Lakers odds. Before making any Lakers vs. Suns picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 10 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 46-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $1,900. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Suns and just locked in its NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Suns vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Suns spread: Suns -6.5
- Lakers vs. Suns over-under: 223.5 points
- Lakers vs. Suns money line: Suns -280, Lakers +230
- PHX: The Suns are 4-1 against the spread in the last five games
- LAL: The Lakers are 5-2 against the spread in the last seven games
Why the Suns can cover
Phoenix is dynamic on offense, headlined by the trio of Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. The Suns make life difficult on opposing defenses with the ability to score at multiple levels, and Phoenix is in the top five of the NBA in field-goal percentage and assists. However, the Suns are even better on defense this season, allowing only 103.5 points per 100 possessions this season.
Phoenix is holding opponents to 49.6 percent shooting on 2-point attempts, the No. 1 mark in the NBA, and the Suns are allowing just 43.6 percent shooting overall. Phoenix is above-average at keeping opponents off the free-throw line, allowing 20.1 attempts per game, and the Suns are creating 15.6 turnovers and 8.6 steals per game. Phoenix is holding opponents to just 22.6 assists per game, and Los Angeles is No. 28 in free-throw accuracy and No. 29 in the NBA in turnovers on the offensive side.
Why the Lakers can cover
Los Angeles has one of the best players of all-time on its side in James. James is averaging 25.9 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game, and he is the centerpiece of the Los Angeles offense. The Lakers are making 46.4 percent of shots on offense, ranking in the top 12 in both 2-point accuracy and 3-point accuracy, and Los Angeles is averaging 24.5 assists per game. Los Angeles is also in the top ten of the NBA in points in the paint, averaging 47.2 per game, and the Lakers are No. 3 in the league in fast break points with 15.4 per contest.
The Lakers are also above-average on the defensive end, giving up only 107.3 points per 100 possessions. Los Angeles is a top-five team in blocked shots (5.8 per game) and a top-eight team in turnovers created, forcing 15.5 giveaways per game. Opponents are shooting only 44.4 percent from the floor and 33.4 percent from 3-point distance against Los Angeles, with the Lakers capable of effectively contesting shots.
How to make Suns vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting 209 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Lakers vs. Suns? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
