The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers have a big-time showdown at the Staples Center on Tuesday night. This is the second-last game of all time at the Staples Center.
As of Christmas Day, the facility will be known as Crypto.com Arena. Same place, different name. The Lakers hope that Crypto.com Arena brings as much success as the Staples Center.
The Lakers have won five NBA Championships at Staples despite recent struggles this year.
Prime time matchup in LA.
? @Lakers
? 8PM
? TNT
? @AZSports | @az_mejor pic.twitter.com/gYmFA41PbW— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 21, 2021
The Lakers don’t look like a championship team, but there’s time on the clock to get things together.
The Lakers enter Tuesday night at 16-15 on the year and don’t look any different from last season’s team. They had excuses last year, though. Unlike last season, the Lakers have been mostly healthy.
You can look at many things for the Lakers, but a mediocre effort from Anthony Davis has been a talking point. He’s disappeared far too often.
For a 28-year-old in his prime years, Davis has to dominate and take games over. Lebron James is getting too old to do it all on his shoulders.
We’re going to find out what life for the Lakers will be like without AD. He will be on the injury report for at least four weeks with a knee injury.
The Suns recently got one of their stars back, as Devin Booker made his return versus the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. Booker scored 16 points on 6-15 shooting in a 137-106 win.
The Suns have a healthy Deandre Ayton on the floor with Booker. When the Suns have their star talent running around, the Suns can be tough to contain. Head below for our free Suns vs. Lakers pick on December 21, 2021.
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds and Team Statistics:
The following odds are courtesy of BetUS:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Suns | -6.5 (-110) | -275 | Over 233.5 (-110) |
| LA Lakers | +6.5 (-110) | +235 | Under 233.5 (-110) |
| Team Data | Phoenix Suns | LA Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 24-5 | 16-15 |
| ATS Record | 16-13-0 | 12-19-0 |
| Away/Home Record | 10-3 | 10-7 |
| ATS Away/Home | 7-6-0 | 6-11-0 |
| Points Per Game | 111.9 | 110.5 |
| Points Against Per Game | 104.6 | 111.3 |
| Field Goal % | 47.8 | 46.4 |
| Three Point % | 36.8 | 35.4 |
Suns vs. Lakers Prediction:
The Suns have to avoid the injury bug hitting them hard and some serious fallout from the Robert Sarver investigation.
If they can do that, then the Suns will be a playoff contender with a chance of going back to the NBA Finals.
They can operate on both ends of the floor and play either kind of game. If the Suns get into an ugly game, they have the talent to win a defensive battle. Conversely, the Suns can win high-scoring shootouts as well.
A chameleon-like the Suns can be the toughest team to beat. They’ve suffered only four losses, with a record of 24-5 going into the Staples Center.
The Suns are third-best in the NBA, with 111.9 points per game. They are shooting an impressive 47.9% from the field. There are no better teams from the field than the Suns in the NBA.
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends:
Suns
- 4-1 ATS in their previous five games
- 4-1 ATS in their previous five games as the betting favorite
- 11-3 ATS in their previous 14 games after allowing more than 100 points
- 4-0 ATS in their previous four games versus the Lakers
- 9-2 overall in their previous 11 games on the road
Lakers
- 4-16 ATS in their previous 20 games versus the Western Conference
- 1-7 ATS in their previous eight games versus the Pacific Division
- 2-5 overall in their previous seven games as an underdog
- 3-7 ATS in their previous ten games as an underdog
- 3-10 ATS in their previous 13 games versus a team with a winning record
The Lakers will be without Anthony Davis tonight and for the foreseeable future. While he hasn’t played up to his full potential, his size and length will be missed.
His absence will be felt with Deandre Ayton suiting up for the Suns tonight. Ayton should have his way around the rim in this one.
He is going into Tuesday night with 16.8 points 11.3 rebounds per game. His prolific field goal percentage of 61.7% is a big reason the Suns’ rate first in field goal percentage.
Without AD bothering him in the paint, expect Ayton to take control. That’s not the only absent Laker tonight. Russell Westbrook is back after clearing Covid, though.
Even when the Lakers have been healthy, they’ve given up too many points. Their defense has gotten ripped for 111.3 points per game for 27th in the NBA. Conversely, the Suns are fourth with 104.6 points allowed per game.
In a game that might be close through the first half, I’m looking at the Suns to pull away in this one at the Staples Center. The Suns by 10 points appears accurate.
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