Both L.A. and Phoenix have not met expectations this season for all sorts of small and big reasons. The Lakers are, however, experiencing a decent stretch of seven wins in nine games, including Friday night at home versus the Spurs, 123-118. Phoenix, for all its talent, has returned from the All-Star break with two defeats, the latest on Friday night to the Rockets, 114-110.

The NBA odds favour the hosts, placing the Suns at -3.5 against the spread.

Lakers vs. Suns NBA Betting Odds

The last time these franchises met, Phoenix got the better of Los Angeles, 127-109. It was the Arizona-based side’s first win over the Lake Show in five tries. Sunday afternoon will be the final regular season meeting between the divisional foes, with the Californian club leading the series 2-1. While the Suns’ win was thorough, both Laker victories were by three points each.

Maybe things are starting to turn around for the purple and gold. Darvin Ham’s ensemble has been playing better basketball since the end of January. To that point, the team is an impressive 7-2 in February, with some mighty road wins to their name (at Boston and New York). Their improved away form will be of the utmost importance considering they’re only 11-18 on the season when travelling. Oddsmakers have given the Lakers the benefit of the doubt many times this season but the team hasn’t paid them back, going 26-32 ATS.

In contrast, February has been somewhat frustrating for the Phoenix Suns. At 5-4, they’ve struggled to find consistency. Look no further than big wins versus the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings, yet losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets. C Jusuf Nurkic continues to nurse an ankle injury, although he’s only listed as day-to-day. The bigger issue is Bradley Beal’s hamstring issue. As of Saturday morning he’s technically listed as out, but that could change. As for the spread, they don’t inspire much confidence either with a 23-32-2 tally.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Victor Wembanyama experience was in Los Angeles on Friday night. The French phenom put in an admirable effort reporters are calling “5×5” (five blocks and five steals) but the Lakers still held on for a 123-118 win.

A defeat at home to the Spurs would have put the recent goodwill L.A.’s mustered into question, no matter how talented Wembanyama is. Still, it wasn’t easy, as the hosts only won the first quarter by four, the second by three, and didn’t win either period in the second half. Anthony Davis did his usual thing, leading the Lakers with 13 rebounds and was a havoc in the paint, finishing with 28 points. LeBron James, who else, tallied the most points with 30, but D’Angelo Russell’s fine play continued as he put in a fine 22. For someone whose name was reported as trade bait recently, he’s finding his groove at the right time.

Phoenix Suns

Another day, another disappointing loss. Phoenix’s 48-hour stay in Texas concluded with a 0-2 record versus the Mavericks on Thursday and then the Rockets on Friday.

Not exactly the way a side with big aspirations should return from a break. Teams are beating them in a variety of ways. Dallas did it with offence and Houston with defence. The latter held the Suns to only 22.6 per cent shooting from beyond the arc, which is incredible given the visitors had Kevin Durant (1-for-7) and NBA three-point leader Grayson Allen (3-for-7) taking shots. Devin Booker wasn’t great from the field (7-for-24) but the free throw line bolstered his tally to 25. Suns lose, 114-110.

Right now, the Suns look like a team with a very talented roster that’s struggling mightily to coalesce. Injuries haven’t helped, but the clock is ticking. Their operation runs the risk of a lost season despite the high-profile roster.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Suns?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.66
Assists	LeBron James 8.3
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.64
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 72
Steals	LeBron James 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.34

PHO

Points	Kevin Durant 27.09
Assists	Devin Booker 6.94
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 11.01
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 69.6
Steals	Jusuf Nurkic 1.07
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.21

LAL

Points	Anthony Davis 27.8
Assists	LeBron James 8.8
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 15.6
FG%	Anthony Davis 63.4
Steals	LeBron James 2.4
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.5
Assists	Devin Booker 6
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 8.25
FG%	Nassir Little 60
Steals	Devin Booker 1.75
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.5

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Suns Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.66
Assists	LeBron James 8.3
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.64
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 72
Steals	LeBron James 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.34

PHO

Points	Kevin Durant 27.09
Assists	Devin Booker 6.94
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 11.01
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 69.6
Steals	Jusuf Nurkic 1.07
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.21

LAL

Points	Anthony Davis 27.8
Assists	LeBron James 8.8
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 15.6
FG%	Anthony Davis 63.4
Steals	LeBron James 2.4
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.5
Assists	Devin Booker 6
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 8.25
FG%	Nassir Little 60
Steals	Devin Booker 1.75
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.5

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Cam Reddish (SF)

Out Mon Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Wed Personal - 01 / 04 / 24

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 04 / 24

Jaxson Hayes (C)

Prob Tues Calf - 31 / 03 / 24

D'Angelo Russell (PG)

Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 24

Taurean Prince (SF)

Prob Sun Personal - 22 / 03 / 24

Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)

Out indefinitely Back - 21 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24

Phoenix

Grayson Allen (SG)

Out Sun Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Sat Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24

Drew Eubanks (PF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Wed Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Ques Fri Calf - 04 / 04 / 24

Grayson Allen (SG)

Prob Fri Hip - 02 / 04 / 24

Bradley Beal (SG)

Prob Wed Finger - 26 / 03 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Sat Eye - 22 / 03 / 24

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Thurs Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cam Reddish (SF)	Out Mon	Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24	3-2	2-3	+ -
Reddish is hampered by a right ankle sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Wed	Personal - 01 / 04 / 24	6-6	7-5	+ -
Reddish was absent from the last match while tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Wednesday's showdown versus the Wizards.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 01 / 04 / 24	6-6	7-5	+ -
Vincent missed the previous contest with a left knee injury, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Wizards on Wednesday.
Jaxson Hayes (C)	Prob Tues	Calf - 31 / 03 / 24	6-7	7-6	+ -
Hayes missed the last game with a left calf contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Tuesday's clash with the Raptors.
D'Angelo Russell (PG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 24 / 03 / 24	9-8	10-7	+ -
Russell missed the last game ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take the court against the Bucks on Tuesday.
Taurean Prince (SF)	Prob Sun	Personal - 22 / 03 / 24	10-8	11-7	+ -
Prince missed the last contest due to a personal matter, but it is expected that he will suit up against the Pacers on Sunday.
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)	Out indefinitely	Back - 21 / 03 / 24	10-8	11-7	+ -
Hood-Schifino is idle after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure, and the severity of the ailment is unknown.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24	12-10	14-8	+ -
Reddish has been absent the previous four games due to a right ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take the floor against the 76ers on Friday.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24	13-11	15-9	+ -
Reddish is expected to lace up for Friday's matchup with the Bucks despite a right ankle sprain.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24	13-12	16-9	+ -
Reddish missed the last game nursing a right ankle sprain, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the court Friday against the Bucks.

Phoenix

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Grayson Allen (SG)	Out Sun	Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24	0-3	2-1	+ -
Allen is nursing a right ankle injury, and he will not be active against the Timberwolves for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Sat	Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24	1-4	3-2	+ -
Gordon is battling a migraine, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Drew Eubanks (PF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24	2-4	4-2	+ -
Eubanks is dealing with right ankle soreness, but it is likely that he will take part in Sunday's battle versus the Timberwolves.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24	2-6	4-4	+ -
Nurkic missed the last game with a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available Wednesday against the Clippers.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Ques Fri	Calf - 04 / 04 / 24	5-6	5-6	+ -
Nurkic is nursing left calf soreness, and it is unknown if he will suit up Friday against the Timberwolves.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Prob Fri	Hip - 02 / 04 / 24	5-6	5-6	+ -
Allen missed the last game hampered by left hip soreness, but he is expected to be active for Friday's battle with the Timberwolves.
Bradley Beal (SG)	Prob Wed	Finger - 26 / 03 / 24	6-8	6-8	+ -
Beal is nursing a sprained right ring finger, but it is predicted that he will participate in Wednesday's battle with the Nuggets.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24	7-8	7-8	+ -
Nurkic missed the last clash with a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Thunder on Friday.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Sat	Eye - 22 / 03 / 24	9-8	8-9	+ -
Nurkic is hindered by an orbital contusion, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Spurs on Saturday.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Thurs	Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24	9-9	9-9	+ -
O'Neale is battling a right shoulder contusion, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Thursday's matchup with the Hawks.