The Phoenix Suns host the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, hoping to survive yet another batch of back-to-back nights. Monty Williams’ crew is on a mission to regain the top seed in the West, and winning tonight’s game would be of massive help. The guests from DC aren’t in particularly impressive shape, but on the other side, they know to be pretty nasty if a rival underestimates them. Phoenix is tired and injured, yet there isn’t any other way for them but to go full speed tonight and post their 20th victory of the year.
Preview
When we said that Washington Wizards (11-20, +240) weren’t in good shape, we meant they played terribly. For the moment, the team from the US capital has 10 losses in a row and is by far the worst team in the league when looking at that span. Though, there were plenty of losses down this road that came narrow in which, simply, luck wasn’t on the Wizards’ side.
The most recent was on the road in Los Angeles, against the Lakers, 119-117. Washington was down 14 points but came back and even seized the lead. Yet, in the defining moments, Beal and the boys didn’t have enough composure.
Bradley Beal scored 29 points, not hitting a single three, which is interesting. Kyle Kuzma had 22 buckets and 16 boards, while Kristaps Porzingis had 21 points with 11 boards.
Phoenix Suns (19-12, -305) have three victories in a row, which is a refreshment following a short crisis they experienced some 10 days ago. What makes their success even greater is the fact that the Suns experienced multiple injuries, not having Devin Booker, for example, in the previous event.
Also, Cam Johnson, Cam Payne, and several other players were out, but Williams’ managed to find a winning rotation. The Suns are pretty confident at home, winning 13 of their 16 games, so it’s no wonder why we saw them beating the Lakers shorthanded, 130-104.
Chris Paul was in the mood for trashing LeBron and the Lakers, scoring 28 points with eight assists, while Mikal Bridges added 20 buckets. Deandre Ayton posted a double-double with 21 points and 11 boards, missing just two of his 11 shots, and Torey Craig had 17 points and eight rebounds.
Head to Head Games
The result in the all-time series is tight, 67-66 for the Wizards, but the Suns won the past three events, both last year. After a 118-98 win at home, the Suns were better in DC 95-80.
Prediction
The spread on the Suns is -7.5 points, and with all due respect to the guests, we believe the hosts will cover that without problems. They are a much better unit than the Wizards, who have ten straight losses. Also, the Suns are pretty ferocious at home, and last night’s triumph against the Lakers proves that. One other thing that will have an important role is Washington’s fatigue from all the traveling in the last few days. That will for sure take a toll on the Wizards’ players, who are already low on morale. The bottom line is that the Suns should win here easily.
Pick: Suns -7.5
Nikola Velickovic is a sports journalist who loves to write and read on all sports. Nikola contributes both news updates and functions as a sports breaking news writer at WagerBop.
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