Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, 3/2/2021 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Location: STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Phoenix (+3)

The Phoenix Suns (22-11) are headed to STAPLES Center on Tuesday where they'll take on the Los Angeles Lakers (24-11). Los Angeles opens this contest as 3-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 217.

The Phoenix Suns faced off with the Minnesota Timberwolves and notched a win by a score of 118-99 in their last game. Phoenix wrapped up the contest with a 49.4% field goal percentage (44 of 89) and made 7 of their 27 shots from beyond the perimeter. From the free throw line, the Suns made 23 of their 24 shots for a percentage of 95.8%. In terms of hauling in rebounds, they compiled 47 with 8 of them being offensive. They also dished out 27 assists for this game in addition to forcing 15 turnovers and earning 7 steals. In reference to defense, Phoenix allowed the other team to go 37.6% from the field on 35 out of 93 shooting. Minnesota earned 21 assists and had 12 steals in this contest. In addition, Minnesota grabbed 44 rebounds (10 offensive, 34 defensive) and had 4 rejections. Minnesota went 87.5% at the charity stripe by making 21 of 24 tries. They also knocked down 8 of 35 attempts from 3-point range.

Devin Booker is one guy who was a major contributor for the matchup. He ended up scoring 43 points on 15 of 26 shooting. He played 34:07 minutes and also pulled down 5 rebounds. Booker finished the game at 57.7% from the floor and also dished out 5 assists. Someone else that was a determining factor in this matchup for the Suns was Deandre Ayton. He pulled down 10 rebounds in his 25:48 min played on the night. He walked away from this one shooting 81.8% from the floor for this contest by connecting on 9-of-11 (22 points). When all was said and done, Ayton totaled 1 assist.

Phoenix will play this contest with a record of 22-11 for the year. They average 113.4 points per outing (13th in the league) on 48.3% from the floor. The Suns are connecting on 37.5% on three-point attempts (439 of 1,171) and 83.3% from the charity stripe. As a team, Phoenix is pulling in 43.5 rebounds per game and is sitting with 888 dimes for the season, which has them ranked 4th in the NBA in terms of passing. They are losing possession via turnover 12.8 times per game and as a team they are committing 19.8 fouls on a nightly basis. Defensively, the Suns are able to force 13.1 turnovers per game and they draw 18.2 fouls. The Suns defense is allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 45.7% (432 of 599) and they concede 43.7 boards per game as a basketball team. They rank 2nd in basketball in allowing assists to the opposition with 726 conceded so far this year. They are surrendering 34.3% from 3-point land while they are 4th in the NBA in PPG allowed (107.5).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the Los Angeles Lakers got the win with a final of 117-91 against the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers were able to corral 46 defensive boards and 14 offensive boards totaling 60 for this game. They coughed it up 19 times, while earning 14 steals in this contest. The Warriors had 25 personal fouls in the game which took the Lakers to the charity stripe for 38 tries. They were able to convert 26 of the free throw tries for a clip of 68.4%. In regard to 3-point shots, Los Angeles converted 11 of their 31 attempts (35.5%). When all was said and done, the Lakers ended up going 40 out of 85 from the field which had them sitting at 47.1%. The Lakers allowed the Warriors to convert 35 of their 86 tries from the floor which gave them a rate of 40.7% for this contest. They finished 23.5% from beyond the perimeter by going 8 out of 34 and finished the game at 13 out of 19 at the free throw line (68.4%). In relation to cleaning the glass, Los Angeles permitted Golden State to grab 35 in total (3 offensive).

LeBron James pitched in for the Lakers in this matchup. He converted 7 of 12 for this game giving him a field goal percentage of 58.3%, and accounted for 6 rebounds. James tallied 19 points in his 24:24 mins of playing time and accumulated 4 assists for this game. Someone else who came through for Los Angeles was Markieff Morris. He walked away with 4 assists in his 24:14 mins on the court, and he shot 4 out of 8 from the floor. Morris finished going 50.0% from the field while earning 13 points and 8 total rebounds.

Los Angeles has a win-loss record of 24-11 this season. The Lakers are responsible for committing 18.8 personal fouls every game and they go 74.5% from the free throw line. They are assisting teammates 24.6 times per game (17th in the NBA) and they are giving up possession 15.3 times per game. Los Angeles has earned 3,897 points so far this season (111.3 per game) and they grab 45.8 rebounds per contest. When it comes to offensive execution, the Lakers are shooting 47.9% from the floor, which has them ranked 8th in the NBA. The Lakers on the defensive end are ranked 2nd in the NBA in points per game surrendered with 105.6. They surrender 24.7 dimes and 42.1 boards per game, which is ranked 14th and 5th in basketball. The Los Angeles defense concedes 35.0% on shots from behind the 3-point line (404 of 1,154) and their opponents are connecting on 75.9% of their free throw shots. They are able to force 14.7 turnovers per game and have let teams shoot 44.8% from the field (5th in basketball).

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Phoenix (+3)

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