Suns vs Lakers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Booker Helps Phoenix Rise Again

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently favored in the NBA odds to defeat the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday and advance to the semifinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas.

For years, we went without seeing Kevin Durant and LeBron James play head-to-head in the NBA. Now, with a trip to Las Vegas on the line, we’re about to witness the third meeting between Durant and James this season. 

While James has already bested Durant in the first two meetings this year, it's important to note that both of those previous matchups were played without Devin Booker.

With Booker and Durant facing the Lakers together for the first time this season, can the Suns pull off a road upset at Crypto.com Arena and advance to the semifinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament? Let's dive into our free NBA picks for Suns vs. Lakers on December 5.

Suns vs Lakers odds

Suns vs Lakers predictions

The Lakers might be 2-0 on the season against the Suns, but it’s not as if both games were dominated by any means. In both meetings, the Suns held a halftime lead of four and eight points, and they did so without one of their best players in Devin Booker.

Not only did both of these Lakers victories take place against the Suns while they were without Booker, but they were both very early in the season. The Suns were dealing with a completely new roster, trying to integrate brand new role players into their system, on top of injuries to their Big 3.

We’re now roughly 20 games into the NBA season, and the Suns are looking a lot more dangerous than they did at the beginning of the year. I always liked the role players the Suns used to fill out this roster, but now they’re beginning to gel as a team.

A healthy Booker, paired with Kevin Durant, might be a good enough reason to jump on the Suns in this game. However, it’s actually what the role players bring on the defensive side of the ball that has me backing the Suns in this matchup. In their previous meeting, Keita Bates-Diop was starting for the Suns, but now they're back to using Josh Okogie in the starting lineup.

Matching up against LeBron James, I much prefer Okogie as the primary defender. Okogie has a massive wingspan and is very athletic. He has the ability to match the size, speed, and physicality of James to disrupt his offensive game.

You can choose to take the Suns on the spread, but with +105 available on the moneyline at BetMGM, that’s the bet I prefer. Make sure to shop around for this number; just because all of the spreads align at Lakers -1.5, it doesn’t mean all of the moneylines will also be the same; some sportsbooks are only offering +100 on the Suns.

My best bet: Suns moneyline (+105 at BetMGM) 25% boost available

Suns vs Lakers same-game parlay

Suns moneyline

Anthony Davis Under 25.5 points

Devin Booker Over 27.5 points

25% boost available

+400 +500 at BetMGM

Anthony Davis is coming off three straight Overs, pushing his points total up to 25.5 for Tuesday’s game against the Suns. In their previous matchup, I was actually impressed with the defense Jusuf Nurkic was able to play on Davis. The Suns also have multiple defenders with a wingspan over 7’0, which should help them disrupt Davis in their defensive rotations and keep him off the offensive glass. Notably, the Suns have won the rebounding battle both times against the Lakers this season.

As for Booker, he’s built for moments like this; an absolute assassin on the basketball court. With his total trading at 27.5 points, I think there’s an opportunity to take advantage here. The Lakers don’t have the wing defenders to shut down both Durant and Booker, meaning the Suns should be able to run certain actions for both players and create advantages for them on the offensive end. I’m opting for Booker in the same-game parlay instead of Durant because I believe we have a better edge.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Suns vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis

The Lakers opened as a 2-point favorite at FanDuel, and we have since seen the line move to Lakers -1.5. FanDuel isn’t the only sportsbook trading the Lakers as a 1.5-point favorite; this is a consensus number across the board, as we don’t even have varying juice in the market.

The total opened at DraftKings at 223.5, and we have since seen it bet up to 227.5. It did reach as high as 228.5, but we saw some resistance at this number, as it dropped back down to 228. It looks like it will be common throughout the day for this number to hover between 227.5 and 228.

Suns vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Phoenix Suns have hit the 1Q Moneyline in 22 of their last 36 away games (+16.35 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Lakers.

Suns vs Lakers game info

Suns vs Lakers latest injuries

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