The Phoenix Suns (8-24) will travel to Capital One Arena to square off against the Washington Wizards (12-20). The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Arizona at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22, 2018.
Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards ATS Odds
The last time the Suns played, they beat the Boston Celtics, 111-103, as 11.5-point underdogs. The Wizards, meanwhile, were dismantled by the Houston Rockets, 136-118, and failed to cover as 11-point underdogs. The Phoenix game finished 8.5 points under the projected point total of 222.5, while the Washington game went 29 points over the projected point total of 225.
Phoenix dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 42.9 (above their season average of 18.8) and a free throw rate of 0.188 (above their season average of 0.174). Boston recorded marks of 20.5 and 0.141, respectively, for those same stats. Washington, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (10.5 vs. 13.7). Bradley Beal had a good game for Washington, putting up 28 points and seven assists. Deandre Ayton, meanwhile was a key piece for Phoenix with 23 points and 18 rebounds.
This was a highly contested series last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Wizards won the most recent game 109-99. The Wizards’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Suns. Washington had a rate of 9.8, while Phoenix posted a mark of 12.6. This will be the first game of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Suns are involved, as 19 of their 32 contests have finished under the total. Phoenix holds records of 8-24 straight up (SU) and 13-19 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Phoenix, Wizards games have a tendency to finish over the projected point total (62.5 percent). Further, Washington is 12-20 SU and 11-20-1 ATS.
The Suns’ T.J. Warren has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 21 points per game. Meanwhile, Beal has averaged 27 points,6.6 rebounds,4.4 assists during that same time frame for the Wizards.
Opposite styles will be on display in this matchup. Washington has preferred to play quickly (seventh in possessions per game), while Phoenix has been slower-paced (18th in possessions per game). It could also be a mistake-prone game for the offense of the Suns, which ranks 29th in ball protection (turnover percentage of 15.6 percent). They’ll be going up against the stingy defense of the Wizards, which forces the fourth-most turnovers in the NBA (15.4 percent).
Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards Betting Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Suns, ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Suns rank 18 in rebounds allowed per game (45.8125) while the Wizards rank 25 (48.125).
- Washington ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.9) while Phoenix ranks 29th in points off turnovers allowed per game (20.3).
- The Suns rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (29.0) while the Wizards rank 23rd (33.4).
- Washington ranks 10th in points in the paint per game (49.5) while Phoenix ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.7).
- Washington ranks 11 in assists per game (24.8125) while Phoenix ranks 23 in assists allowed per game (25.0625).
- The Wizards rank seventh in steals per game (8.7) while the Suns rank 28th in steals allowed per game (9.3).
- The Wizards rank 13 in blocks per game (5.4375) while the Suns rank 25 (4.40625).
- Phoenix ranks 22 in second chance points allowed per game (14.1875) while Washington ranks 28 (14.96875).
- Washington ranks ninth in fast break points per game (14.8) while Phoenix ranks last in fast break points allowed per game (17.1).
- In games where they allow below 100 points, Washington is 3-0 and Phoenix is 3-1.
- The Suns are 7-12 when they score above 100 points, while the Wizards are 12-18.
- Washington is 7-6-1 ATS at home, while Phoenix is 5-11 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 10 of the Wizards’ 14 home games, while 9 of the Suns’ 16 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Suns are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Wizards are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Phoenix has 4 unders and 1 over, while Washington has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 106.2 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.4 points per game (9.9 below their season average).
- The Wizards’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 4.7 for the season.
