NBA Picks: LA Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Lakers (31-47 SU, 32-46-0 ATS) vs. Phoenix Suns (62-16 SU, 42-36-0 ATS)
When: Tuesday April 05 2022, 10:30 PM (ET)
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: SPECSN

Point Spread: LAL +11.5/PHX -11.5 (Opened PHX -11.5 at Everygame)
Total: 232 (Opened at 231.5)
Money Line: Los Angeles Lakers 501/Phoenix Suns -709
Power Rating: PHX -12

Probable Starting Lineups

Los Angeles Lakers PG Russell Westbrook, SG Avery Bradley, SF LeBron James Q, PF Anthony Davis Q, C Dwight Howard
Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul, SG Devin Booker Off Inj, SF Mikal Bridges, PF Jae Crowder Off Inj, C Deandre Ayton Off Inj

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis: Foot (QUESTIONABLE) LeBron James: Ankle (QUESTIONABLE) Kendrick Nunn: Ankle (OUT)

Phoenix Suns Frank Kaminsky: Knee (OUT) Dario Saric: Knee (OUT)

The Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers in a Western-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 10:30 PM ET at the Footprint Center.

Recent Form

The Los Angeles Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 31-47, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. Throughout the season, Los Angeles has struggled in their 38 road contests, sitting at 11-27. This includes having lost 6 straight games. In this stretch, Los Angeles’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 111.0 points per game. Combined, the Lakers’ last five opponents are giving up 108.0 points per contest. A key reason for Los Angeles’ recent struggles is a defensive unit giving up 122.0 points over their previous five contests. This figure is up from their season average of 114.8. In the Los Angeles Lakers’ most recent game, the team fell to Denver by a score of 129-118.

The Phoenix Suns come into this game with an overall record of 62-16, placing them 1st in the Western Conference. So far, Phoenix is above .500 at home, holding a record of 31-8. The Suns have played well over their last five games, picking up 3 wins. In this stretch, Phoenix’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 114.0 points per game. Combined, the Suns’ last five opponents are giving up 109.0 points per contest. Even though the Suns have been adding to the win column, their opponents have had no trouble scoring the ball, averaging 115.0 points per game, up from Phoenix’s usual rate of 107.1. In the Phoenix Suns’ most recent game, the team fell to Oklahoma City by a score of 117-96.

Individual Player Analysis

As Los Angeles travels to take on the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers’ leading scorer is LeBron James. Through 62 games, James is averaging 30 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 45.0% of his games. Against the Suns, James will need to be on top of his game as Phoenix is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their average in 42.0% of their games, placing them in the top 10. On the other side, Devin Booker leads the Suns in scoring, averaging 26 points across his 75 games. Throughout the season, Booker has outscored his season average in 48.0% of his outings. Given that Los Angeles’s defense has struggled to slow down their opponent’s top scorers, Devin Booker should be in line for a big performance. So far, the Lakers have allowed their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 51.79% of their games, giving them a rank of 23rd among NBA defenses.

Matchup Analysis

Heading into this matchup, the Phoenix Suns are the more efficient team on both ends of the court. This scenario has taken place in 33 of Phoenix’s 76 games, leading to a winning percentage of 82%. So far, the Los Angeles Lakers have played 22 games as the inferior offensive and defensive unit. In these instances, they have lost 22 times, by an average margin of -14.0 points.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns have met up for 3 games. In their last meeting, Phoenix picked up a 140-111 win.

How the Public is Betting the Lakers vs Suns

67% are betting the Suns against the spread.
52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of No Odds

More Picks: Get Joe’s Recommended Charlotte at Miami ATS Bet 4/5/22 >>>

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
• Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Suns are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
• Suns are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 1 days rest.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

With 5 games remaining on the Lakers’ schedule, they are in now in desperation mode, as they are 2 games behind the Spurs for the last spot in the play-in tournament. Unfortunately for the team, they can’t seem to get healthy at the same time, as Lebron James missed their last game while Anthony Davis has worked his way back to the lineup. Heading into tonight’s game, both Davis and James’ availability is in question. However, if they are able to play, I like Los Angeles to put a strong fight vs a Phoenix team with nothing left to play for in the regular season. I see the Lakers covering the spread as 11.5 point underdogs.