Sean Barnard details his preview and prediction for the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns NBA matchup.
Closing down the nine-game NBA slate, the Los Angeles Lakers will face off with the Phoenix Suns. Both these teams have exceeded early expectations in the competitive Western Conference, sitting in second and seventh place, respectively, in the early stages of the season. Tonight will mark the first of four meetings between these two teams this season.
The Lakers enter as 4.5-point favorites and hold -205 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Suns are +170 underdogs, with the game total set at 235.5 points.
This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Monday night matchup.
Lakers vs. Suns Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers hold a 15-4 record on the season and enter this matchup on a seven-game winning streak. They sit in second place in the conference despite LeBron James missing the beginning of the season. This marks the second half of a back-to-back for Los Angeles, after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans last night. James sat out the matchup in preparation for tonight, marking his first missed game since returning. Marcus Smart is the only member of the Lakers ruled out for tonight. The Lakers are 13-6 against the spread this season, with the over cashing in 13 of the 19 games.
As a team, the Lakers rank eighth in the league in scoring at 119.6 points per game. They rank fourth in offensive rating, first in field-goal percentage, second in free-throw attempts, 15th in assists per game, 26th in rebounds per game, 25th in three-point attempts, and 21st in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 115.4 points per game, which ranks 13th. They are 17th in defensive rating, 23rd in opponent field-goal percentage, 21st in opponent three-point percentage, and second in opponent rebounds allowed.
Luka Doncic leads the NBA in scoring at 35.1 points per game, along with 9.2 points and 8.7 assists. Austin Reaves has taken his game to new heights this season, averaging 28.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.8 rebounds, making an All-Star case in his own right. Since returning, James has played a bit more of a pass-first role. Through his first four games, he is posting 16.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds. Rui Hachimura and Jake LaRavia have played significant roles, while Deandre Ayton has been solid at the big man spot with averages of 16.0 points and 8.6 rebounds thus far.
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the more positive surprises in the NBA this season. Putting the star-driven era behind them, they have begun to establish a culture and are off to a 12-9 start to the season. They have hit a bit of a rut of late, looking to snap a two-game losing streak having lost four of their last eight. The Suns are 14-7 against the spread this season, with the over cashing in 11 of the 21 games.
Phoenix is averaging 116.7 points per game, which is the 18th-best rate in the league. They rank 11th in offensive rating, 16th in field-goal percentage, 23rd in assists per game, 20th in rebounds per game, ninth in three-point attempts, and sixth in three-point efficiency. Defensively, opponents are scoring 114.0 points per game, which ranks ninth. The Suns rank 14th in defensive rating, 17th in field-goal percentage allowed, 13th in opponent three-point percentage, and eighth in rebounds allowed.
Devin Booker continues to headline the production with 25.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. Dillon Brooks has found his footing in Phoenix, playing a major role in setting the tone and adding 21.5 points per game. Grayson Allen is shooting a team-high 43.8% from beyond the three-point arc and adding 17.9 points and 4.2 assists. Mark Williams is the team’s leading rebounder at 9.2 per game, along with 12.9 points, while Royce O’Neal and Collin Gillespie play significant roles. Jalen Green remains sidelined due to his hamstring injury, while Ryan Dunn is probable with a wrist issue.
Lakers vs. Suns Prediction, Best Bet
The Suns impressed in the early parts of the season but have come back to earth in recent games. They are playing better team basketball and compete on a night-to-night basis, but lack the top-end talent that the better teams in the league possess. Phoenix has dropped three of its past four games at the hands of the Nuggets, Thunder, and Rockets. While these are each respectable losses, the Lakers have also played their way into the upper echelon of the Western Conference conversation.
In contrast to Phoenix, Los Angeles is still working toward playing their best basketball and has continued to produce results in the process. Tonight will mark LeBron James’ fifth game of the season, and he sat last night in anticipation of this matchup. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have proven plenty capable of keeping the ship afloat without him, coming off a combined 67 points and 15 assists last night.
Expect James’ presence to add another dimension to this Lakers team with them 4-0 in the games he has played thus far. The Lakers enter this matchup on a seven-game winning streak and have covered the spread in five of these, with six of the wins coming by double digits.
Los Angeles is proving the team deserves to be considered a legitimate contending threat, and it will take the best effort of their opponent to defeat them. The Suns have not put forth this level of effort consistently, especially of late. Phoenix is averaging just 109.2 points per game over its past five games, and Los Angeles will bury the opponent if this level of offensive output doesn’t improve.
Expect things to play out exactly this way and for the Lakers to add to their strong overall and against-the-spread record. Count on the star-studded Lakers roster to have too much firepower for the Suns to match as Los Angeles cruises to another comfortable victory over the 4.5-point spread.