by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Dec 28, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Where to watch: NBCSWA, BSAZ
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
FanDuel: Suns -1.5; Suns -122, Wizards +104
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Suns -1.5; Suns -120, Wizards +100; O/U 220.5
Season record
Suns: 20-15
Wizards: 14-21
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Suns - Wizards preview, prediction and analysis
Suns analysis
As expected, a very tough time for the Phoenix Suns without their star Devin Booker. Booker attempted to go on Christmas Day in that epic game against the Denver Nuggets, but ultimately left due to reaggravating that groin injury. But after winning in Memphis by the final score of 125-108 on Tuesday, phoenix has a little bit of removal of that sour taste following that ridiculous loss in Denver on Christmas Day. This was probably one of the more balanced efforts that phoenix could have had in the light of missing Booker. Eight players scored in double figures led by Duane Washington with a team high 26 points off the bench. DeAndre Ayton also added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Chris Paul had 14 points in what was just a surprising victory for phoenix. Despite this tough stretch for the Suns, phoenix has gone 5-2 in its last seven against the spread and has been an underdog in four of them. Phoenix was 7.5 point underdogs against Memphis on Tuesday but still managed to prevail while cashing the over for the fourth time in six games. It's unclear how long Booker is going to be out, but it is going to be a tough run for phoenix for as long as he is out. Because outside of Booker, there isn't anyone that the Suns can rely on to put in that position and have him take over a game period and phoenix does not have the kind of firepower outside of Booker that can take over a game with the scoring and the shot making the way that he does. So for the time being, even on a back-to-back, phoenix is in danger of possibly emptying the tank too much and finding themselves behind in a myriad of ways.
Wizards analysis
Also coming off of back-to-back on Tuesday, the Washington Wizards won for the third time in four games despite the fact that Joel Embiid literally set the world on fire with 48 points and 10 rebounds. Funny enough that wasn't even the best performance in the NBA on that night and I'm still in shock that he didn't have the best game in the NBA that night. But Washington did get 24 points and 10 rebounds from Kristaps Porzingis along with nineteen points on 8 of 15 shooting from Bradley Beale in the 116-111 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. While both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back, one thing that is going to help Washington in this instance is how they have homecourt advantage. And although homecourt advantage has not really played well to Washington’s strength over the course of this season, the fact that they have won three of four with one of those victories coming against phoenix just a little over a week ago in phoenix, the Wizards are on a really strong run right now with wins against Sacramento and Philadelphia. Washington isn't playing its most perfect basketball with a 14-21 record, but they are playing well at the right time with their two stars carrying the load and that in itself says a lot about where this team is going and the need for consistency.
Prediction
Phoenix with travel I feel empty tank against a contender in Memphis. Washington to an extent also emptied the chamber but did so while absorbing the best shots that Philadelphia’s superstar could have mustered. And with that I'm not entirely sure that phoenix is prepared for another superstar duo to take over a game like they could in this one. Wizards 110, Suns 101
Betting trends
Suns are 124-96 ATS in all games the last 3 seasons.
Suns are 41-24 ATS revenging a loss against an opponent the last 3 seasons.
Wizards are 35-38 ATS in non-conference games the last 3 seasons
Projected starting lineup
Suns:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Duane Washington Jr.
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Torrey Craig
C: Deandre Ayton
Wizards:
PG: Monte Morris
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Deni Avdija
PF: Kyle Kuzma
C: Kristaps Porzingis
Injury report
Suns: Devin Booker (groin, out), Cam Payne (foot, out), Landry Shamet (Achilles, out), Cameron Johnson (knee, out)
Wizards: None
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
