Washington Wizards (6-32) vs Phoenix Suns (19-20)
January 16, 2025 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Washington Wizards +10.5 — Over/Under: 233
The Phoenix Suns (19-20) are set to face the Washington Wizards (6-32) on January 16, 2025, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Suns, currently 11th in the Western Conference, are striving to reach a .500 record. Despite recent struggles, they have won three of their last four games, including victories over Atlanta, Utah, and Charlotte. Key players include Kevin Durant, averaging 27.2 points per game, and Devin Booker, contributing 25.2 points and 6.9 assists per game. Their offense ranks 14th in the league, averaging 112.5 points per game, while their defense allows 113.9 points per game.
In contrast, the Wizards hold the league’s worst record and are on a seven-game losing streak. Their offense ranks 25th, averaging 108.3 points per game, and their defense is last in the league, allowing 122.6 points per game. Jordan Poole leads the team with 21.5 points per game, while Kyle Kuzma adds 14.5 points per game. The team is focusing on developing young talent, with several starters aged 20 or younger.
Mason Plumlee Over 7.5 Rebounds
Mason Plumlee has been a reliable presence for the Phoenix Suns this season. He’s averaging 6.5 rebounds per game, with 1.8 assists and 4.0 points per game. In a recent game on January 7, 2025, Plumlee contributed 10 rebounds, 2 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal in 22 minutes during the Suns’ 123-115 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. His consistent rebounding and veteran presence continue to be valuable assets for the Suns this season without Nurkic in the lineup.
After back-to-back slow games rebounding the ball, this is a great spot to buy back in on Plumlee. He’s facing this Wizards team that has no presence at the rim. The Wizards are giving up 57.1 rebounds to opposing teams per game which is the most in the league. With Nurkic out of the lineup, Plumlee will have to play extended minutes and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him get double-digit rebounds in this one.
Devin Booker Over 26.5 Points
Devin Booker has been a key offensive contributor for the Phoenix Suns. He’s averaging 24.9 points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Booker’s shooting efficiency includes a field goal percentage of 43.7% and a three-point shooting percentage of 33.7%. He also maintains a free throw percentage of 89.4%, reflecting his proficiency from the charity stripe. In addition to his scoring, Booker contributes 6.9 assists per game, ranking 11th in the league, and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Lately, it’s been the Devin Booker show for the Suns. We’ve seen him score 30+ points in four of his last five games. I don’t see him slowing down in this one going against this Wizard’s team that ranks in the bottom 10 in almost every defensive category. The only thing we have to worry about in this one is if the Suns are blowing the Wizards out early and Booker gets benched.
Tyus Jones Over 4.5 Assists
Tyus Jones has been a key playmaker for the Phoenix Suns this season. He has appeared in 37 games, averaging 6.0 assists per game, which ranks him among the league’s top 25 in assists per game. In addition to his playmaking, Jones contributes 11.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field and an impressive 42.0% from beyond the arc. His consistent distribution and scoring have been valuable assets for the Suns this season.
We’ve seen Tyus Jones have over 4 assists in his last three games and he should have another great night dishing the rock in this matchup against the Wizards. The Wizards allow a ton of points per game to opposing teams so Jones will have a lot of opportunity to collect assists. The Wizards are also giving up 28.4 assists per game to opposing teams which is the fourth most in the league.