The 3-1 Phoenix Suns host the 1-3 Los Angeles Lakers for their latest preseason matchup at the Footprint Center on Thursday night, and to cap off this run of games, we've lined up expert betting picks for these Pacific Division rivals.
Here's a moneyline, spread, and total wager to consider as the Suns and Lakers take the floor on October 17, 2024.
NBA Preseason Betting Results
| Market | Record | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | 3-3 | -0.22 |
| Moneyline | 3-3 | -1 |
| OVER/UNDER | 2-4 | -2.18 |
| Overall | 8-10 | -3.4 |
Odds as of October 17, 2024 at FanDuel
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns Previews & Picks
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | +5 (-110) | +172 | O 221 (-110) |
| Phoenix Suns | -5 (-110) | -215 | U 221 (-110) |
Odds as of October 17, 2024 at FanDuel
Expert Picks: Los Angeles Lakers ATS +5 (-110), ML (+172)
Thursday mark's Phoenix's final game of the preseason, while the Lakers will play one final time on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. This is also the second meeting between the Suns and Los Angeles, with Phoenix narrowly prevailing 118-114 on Oct. 6.
However, during that matchup, the Lakers actually held a 12-point lead at halftime before running their reserves for the final two quarters. The Big Three of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker only combined to shoot 9-of-27 from the field for 29 points, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis had 36 points between them.
The Lakers continue to rank in the bottom-third of the Association in both offense and defense, averaging 101.4 points per 100 possessions (24th) while allowing 108.3 points per 100 possessions (20th). The Suns, meanwhile, are barely better offensively ranking 20th, but vastly superior defensively at ninth.
If Los Angeles gives its starters a healthy dose of minutes and can hold Phoenix's superstar trio to another cold shooting performance, a victory at plus money on the moneyline is in the cards, and that's a risk worth taking under these circumstances.
Expert Pick: OVER 221 Total Points (-110)
This wager requires little thought and reasoning. The preseason is winding down and defensive tenacity shall be sparse.
Both teams just reached the OVER on 221 total points rather convincingly just over 10 days ago, and that was with a slew of offensive studs not connecting as regularly as they do. This should be another OVER connecting following in line with that previous meeting.
