Free NBA Picks Today: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns 3/22/23

The Los Angeles Lakers (35-37, 19-17 Home) will try to break down one of the league’s top scoring defenses when they play host to the Phoenix Suns (38-33, 15-21 Away) on Wednesday.

Phoenix lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-120 at Paycom Center on Sunday. Devin Booker was a top performer in the loss with 46 points.

The Suns are the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Los Angeles found victory on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena, beating the Orlando Magic 111-105. Austin Reaves had 35 points, six rebounds, and six assists, leading the team. The Lakers are the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

This is the last meeting of the season between the teams. Phoenix will be looking for a season sweep against Los Angeles after winning both of their earlier games, the most recent of which was a 130-104 victory at Footprint Center in December 2022, their ninth straight head-to-head victory. Chris Paul led the Suns with 28 points and eight assists. Dennis Schroder had 30 points in the loss.

The Suns have been led this season by Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges, who are averaging 18.0 and 17.2 points per game, respectively. Ayton also has grabbed 10.0 rebounds per game, 10th-most in the league.

Meanwhile, Paul is dishing 9.2 assists per game. Russell Westbrook has been the primary provider for the Lakers on offense, averaging 15.9 points per game. Westbrook has also stuffed the stat sheet with 7.5 assists, ninth-most in the league, and 6.2 rebounds per game.

The Suns are one of the stingiest scoring defenses in the NBA, ranking fourth with 111.6 points per game allowed. The teams have split their last 10 meetings at Crypto.com Arena (5-5).

Phoenix is 5-5 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +3.4 (116.4-113.0). Los Angeles has gone 6-4 over the last 10, scoring 113.4 points per game on average while allowing 109.7 (+3.7 margin). The Lakers are averaging 116.4 ppg for the full season while allowing 116.8.

SUNS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Damion Lee: 7.5 | 12.8 | -5.3
Assists per game:
Devin Booker: 3.0 | 5.5 | -2.5

LAKERS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Austin Reaves: 29.2 | 17.9 | +11.3
Lonnie Walker IV: 2.0 | 15.5 | -13.5
Points per game:
Lonnie Walker IV: 2.0 | 12.2 | -10.2
Rebounds per game:
Rui Hachimura: 2.2 | 4.4 | -2.2
Assists per game:
Dennis Schroder: 2.8 | 4.6 | -1.8