By: Ben Hayes Published 12/14/2025, 03:31 AM ET 
We have a Pacific Division matchup in this Lakers vs. Suns prediction. The Lakers (17-7, 15-9 ATS) are coming off a 132-119 loss to the Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Not only did they lose the game, but lost guard Austin Reaves, who was having a great season, to a calf injury. Phoenix (14-11, 15-9-1 ATS) was crushed by OKC in their NBA Cup quarterfinal, 138-89. These teams last met on Dec. 1 with the Suns winning 125-108 on the road as a 5.5-point underdog. The early odds have the Lakers as a 2.5-point favorite with the total at 229.5. Check out more free NBA and NFL Picks on Sunday at Winners and Whiners.
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Terms & Conditions Lakers lose Reaves for at least a week
Los Angeles opened the season without future Hall of Famer LeBron James (back). Reaves picked up the slack, playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 27.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists, while shooting 50.3% from the field. The Lakers will need James to step up and he’s shown flashes of his old self, averaging 16.5 points, 7.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds on 46.8% shooting in eight games.
But understandably, James is also going to show his age since he’s 40 with sciatica. Deandre Ayton has been outstanding as well, averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds, while shooting 70% from the field. Of course, the Lakers still have Luka Doncic, a slimmed-down version, who is leading the league with 35 points, adding nine points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 47.1% from the field.
On DunksandThrees.com, the Lakers are ranked 13th in Adjusted Net Ranking, 7th in Adjusted Offense and 21st in Adjusted Defense.
Suns get crushed without Booker
While the Lakers will miss Reaves, the Suns did not have star guard Devin Booker in their embarrassing loss to the Thunder on Thursday. Booker (25ppg, 6.7apg) has a groin injury and hasn’t played since Dec. 1, which happened to be against the Lakers, where he scored 11 points in 10 minutes.
The good news for the Suns is that Booker practiced on Friday and could be back on Sunday. This has been a pretty good Phoenix team, but they went 1-2 without Booker, somehow beating Minnesota on the road. They’ve had an offensive lift from center Mark Williams, who had 22 points and seven rebounds in the Minnesota win. He’s averaging 13 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
Phoenix is ranked 17th in Adjusted Net Ratings on DunksandThrees.com, 17th in Adjusted Offensive Rating and 15th in Adjusted Defense.
Spread Picks and Prediction for Lakers vs. SunsLakers vs. Suns Pick
The latest news is that Booker is leaning towards playing after practicing on Friday and has sat out nearly two weeks. He’s also a player who misses games here and there, but is usually not out for weeks. Doncic and James will miss Reaves because now teams can double Doncic at times and James will have to step up as the No. 2 scorer. At 40 with a bad back, that’s not easy. Both teams are similar in rebound rate. Mark Williams should also be able to neutralize former Suns’ player Ayton as well as score some in the paint.
Total pick for Lakers vs. Suns
Of course, if Booker doesn’t play, this is number will come down. James is going to be more methodical with his game and Doncic is all about the slow pace (21st for Lakers). Phoenix runs a slower pace at 22nd overall. The Suns are 6-4 Under their last 10. These teams have gone under in three of the last four meetings and six of the last eight.
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