Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 10/20/2017

Friday, October 20, 2017

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers head to Talking Stick Resort Arena to take on the Phoenix Suns on Friday, October 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Los Angeles as 2 point favorites.

The Lakers head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 26-56. They were 4th in the Pacific Division. They had a point differential of -6.9 as they averaged 104.6 points per contest while giving up 111.5 per game. The Suns had an overall mark of 24-58 last year. They were 5th in the Pacific Division. They averaged 107.7 points per contest and gave up 113.3, which was a point differential of -5.6.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers were 37-43-2 against the spread last season

The Los Angeles Lakers were 44-37-1 against the over/under last year

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns were 40-39-3 against the spread last season

The Phoenix Suns were 49-32-1 against the over/under last year

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

10/18/17 PG Lonzo Ball Ankle is probable Thursday vs. LA Clippers
10/17/17 C Andrew Bogut Groin OUT Thursday vs. LA Clippers
10/17/17 F Julius Randle Ribs is upgraded to probable Thursday vs. LA Clippers
10/17/17 G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Suspension 2-game suspension (eligible to return 10/22 vs. New Orleans)

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

10/19/17 C Alex Len Foot is "?" Friday vs. LA Lakers
10/14/17 PG Brandon Knight Knee out for season

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle comes into this game after averaging 13.2 points per contest while playing 28.8 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 8.6 rebounds per contest and distributed 3.6 assists per game. His FG percentage was 49% while his free throw percentage was 72%. Jordan Clarkson averaged 14.7 points per contest in 29.2 minutes per game last year. He averaged 2.6 assists per game and 3 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 45% for the season while his free throw percentage was 80%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Bledsoe scored 21.1 points per contest while playing 33 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 4.8 rebounds per contest and had 6.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage finished at 85%. Devin Booker averaged 22.1 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 35 minutes per game. He also brought in 3.2 rebounds per game and had 3.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 42% and his free throw percentage was 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averaged 104.6 points per contest last year, which was 17th in the league. Their average scoring margin was -6.88 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a unit, which had them ranked 19th. From 3-point territory they shot 35%, which was good for 22nd in the NBA. They averaged 43.5 boards per contest and 20.9 assists per game, which ranked them 17th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 5th with 15.2 per game. The Lakers allowed 111.5 points per contest, which was 28th in the NBA. They also surrendered a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 26th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 44.4 rebounds a game which ranked 23rd, and they allowed 25.7 assists per game which put them in 30th place in the league. They forced 14.5 turnovers per game which ranked them 20th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix was 9th in the NBA with 107.7 points per contest last season. They were 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin was -5.63. They shot 33% from beyond the arc, which was good for 27th in the league. They were 6th in the NBA in rebounding with 45 boards per contest and 29th in assists per game with 19.6. The Suns were 4th in turnovers per contest with 15.4. The Suns gave up 113.3 points per game, which ranked them 30th in the league. Their defense surrendered a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 26th and 30th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 10th with 22.2 dimes allowed per game and 17th with 44 boards surrendered per contest. The Suns were 25th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers were 24th in the league in defensive rating with 113, and their offensive rating of 106 was ranked 1st. They were 5th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% was 22nd. As a unit they were 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA. Los Angeles was 5th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 54%, which was 1st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix was 6th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 53%, which was 6th in the league. The Suns were 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.6, and their defensive rating of 112.2 was ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they were 2nd in the league with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% was 26th. As a team they were 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Suns NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles -2

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