The Los Angeles Lakers (17-7) and Phoenix Suns (14-11) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST from Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz. The game will broadcast live on SportsNet LA.
The Lakers are -1 favorites over the Suns on the spread (Lakers -1), with the over/under set at 230 total points. Los Angeles is a -115 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Phoenix is -105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, December 14.
My Lakers vs Suns Prediction
- Lakers vs Suns pick: Under 230 (-110)
My Suns vs Lakers best bet is Under 230 total points in this game, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Lakers vs Suns Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 230 -110o / -110u | -115 |
| Suns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 230 -110o / -110u | -105 |
Lakers vs Suns NBA Preview
The Suns have had some time to recover following the worst loss in franchise history. On Wednesday night, OKC handed Phoenix a 138-89 defeat in the quarterfinal round of the NBA Cup.
It was a game the Thunder led from start to finish, outscoring the Suns by double digits in all four quarters.
Although Phoenix’s leader and best player, Devin Booker, was unavailable (groin), his absence doesn’t absolve the rest of the team of its responsibility to compete. Booker could make his return on Sunday when the Suns host the Lakers.
As for the visitors, they’ll have to manage without one of their key players as Austin Reaves is out with a left calf strain. Replacing Reaves won’t be easy, considering the fifth-year guard is averaging a career-high 27.8 points per game.
Like Phoenix, Los Angeles is also coming off a loss, following a 132-119 home defeat to San Antonio. The Lakers are also in a revenge spot after losing 125-108 to the Suns earlier this month.
As a result, there’s plenty at stake for these two teams, who are also division rivals.
That situational backdrop warrants thoughtful consideration, especially with the total sitting as high as 230.5. It’s worth noting that the under has cashed in seven of the last 10 meetings between these teams.
Away from home, the Lakers can look like a completely different team. They’re averaging 9.3 fewer points on the road, contributing to a 7-6 under record in those games. By contrast, at home, the Lakers have a perfect 11-0 record to the over.
With a 17-7 mark in games going over the total this season, it’s easy to overlook that home-road split, but it remains a meaningful factor in this matchup.
Lakers vs Suns Prediction, Betting Analysis
Historically, in games where teams are coming off a loss of 49 points or more, the total has gone under at a strong 31-12-1 clip (72.1%). Those numbers suggest an increased level of focus and defensive urgency following such a one-sided defeat.
If we narrow the sample to divisional games only, the under rate improves to 75% (6-2).
Given the Lakers’ road form without a key contributor, this shapes up as a strong spot to look toward the under. With my model projecting a total closer to 228, I’m willing to fade the market move at 230.
Pick: Under 230 (-110, bet365)
Suns vs Lakers Betting Trends
