Devin Booker has caught fire since returning from injury, and he’ll light up the Lakers tonight.
Dec 23, 2025 • 11:43 ET
• 4 min read
Photo By – Imagn Images. Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton (8) defends Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first quarter at Chase Center.
If Dillon Brooks’ unrelenting quest to rattle LeBron James is an added ingredient for your NBA viewing, buckle up for the third meeting of the year between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers tonight.
The season series is tied at 1-1, and, with Luka Doncic ruled out for this clash, my Lakers vs. Suns predictions expect Devin Booker and LeBron to emerge as the main men here.
Check out my NBA picks for this December 23 battle.
Lakers vs Suns prediction
Lakers vs Suns best bet: Devin Booker Over 25.5 points (-115)
The Phoenix Suns are looking like a Play-in team, but they need Devin Booker to keep balling out to stay on the heels of the Top 6 in the West.
Though Booker limped off with a groin injury against the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of the month, he’s been back with a bang in his last three outings — scoring 25+ points in each of those contests.
Booker is coming off a 38-point masterclass against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, shooting an efficient 13-for-27. That’s a great sign for Phoenix — and it spells trouble for an L.A. team with a lack of perimeter stoppers.
Volume shouldn’t be an issue for Booker, who’s got a major green light and has fired up 63 shots across his last three contests. Plus, the Suns are light in the backcourt, with Jalen Green still sidelined and Grayson Allen listed as doubtful.
Booker is also on pace for a career-high with 8.4 free-throw attempts per game. Those are easy points for someone who had an 89% mark at the charity stripe last season, and that’ll help nudge him towards this Over.
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Lakers vs Suns same-game parlay
The Lakers escaped with a 116-114 victory at Mortgage Matchup Center earlier this month, and I’m wagering on a similarly tight scoreline here.
JJ Redick’s squad is 17-10 against the spread overall and 12-4 straight up on the road — plus, there’s still a chance Austin Reaves will be back in the lineup.
LeBron James was a one-man show for the Lakers at the weekend against the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with 36 points, and I expect him to dominate the box score again for the visitors.
James has scored 25+ points in four of his last five games, and a head-to-head battle with Brooks should put LeBron in attack mode.
Lakers vs Suns SGP
Devin Booker Over 25.5 points
Lakers +6
LeBron James Over 23.5 points
Our “from downtown” SGP: Not so Smart
Marcus Smart has fallen short of this O/U number in five of his past seven outings, and he ended up with eight points against Phoenix in the last meeting.
Lakers vs Suns SGP
Devin Booker Over 25.5 points
Lakers +6
LeBron James Over 23.5 points
Marcus Smart Under 11.5 points
Lakers vs Suns odds
Spread: Lakers +6 | Suns -6
Moneyline: Lakers +195 | Suns -240
Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Lakers vs Suns betting trend to know
The Suns are 3-6 in their last nine games. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Suns.
How to watch Lakers vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
Spectrum SportsNet, KTVK
Lakers vs Suns latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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