Suns vs. Lakers Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for November 22 (LA Falls Short Without LeBron)

Suns vs. Lakers Game Info

• Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Footprint Center -- Phoenix, Arizona
• Coverage: TNT

The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns will square off for the first time this year in what has been a very different season for both teams so far. The Lakers are 13th in the Western Conference at 5-10, while the Suns are second at 10-6.

Los Angeles has been playing better lately and is currently on a season-high three-game winning streak, while Phoenix has stumbled without Chris Paul (heel) and is just 4-5 over its last nine games. The Lakers will be without LeBron James for the fifth straight game, however, as he continues to recover from a left adductor strain.

Suns vs. Lakers Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: PHO: (-460) | LAL: (+360)
• Spread: PHO: -9.5 (-112) | LAL: +9.5 (-108)
• Total: 227 (-110/-110)

As expected, the Suns are massive home favorites on both the spread (-9.5) and the moneyline (-460). The total of 227 points is around average despite the absence of James and Paul.

Suns vs. Lakers Betting Trends

• The Suns compiled a 44-38-0 ATS record last year.
• Against the spread, as underdogs of 7.5 points or more, the Lakers went 6-4 last year.
• Last season, 41 Suns games hit the over.
• The Lakers had 47 of their 82 games go over the point total last year.

Suns vs. Lakers Prediction & Pick

While the Lakers have won three in a row, all three of those wins came against teams that currently have losing records in the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs.

Phoenix presents a much tougher challenge for Los Angeles, even with Paul and Cameron Johnson sidelined. The Suns are still one of the most balanced teams in the NBA, ranking ninth in points per game while giving up the fifth fewest.

The Lakers are also balanced, but not in a good way as they rank 19th in both points scored and points allowed. Anthony Davis has stepped up in James's absence, but Phoenix will key in on him and force his teammates to make outside shots, which they are unlikely to do.

Final Score Prediction: Suns: 114 | Lakers: 106

Suns vs. Lakers Best Bet

The Suns are the better team, but asking them to cover a 9.5-point spread without Paul is a lot, especially considering that they've lost more games than they've won recently.

The Lakers have looked dominant lately and should put up a fight. While I don't expect them to win, they should be able to at least keep the game reasonably close.

Bet: Lakers +9.5 (-108)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.