Phoenix has been a surprisingly good team this year after they acquired Chris Paul in the offseason. Paul has been outstanding as a leader for this young Suns roster, putting up 16.0 points and 8.7 assists per game.
The Los Angeles Lakers are going head-to-head with the Phoenix Suns in a Western Conference showdown of top teams on Sunday. The Lakers had their four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday as they lost at home to the Atlanta Hawks. They lost star LeBron James in that game to an ankle injury and while the early x-rays are negative, there is concern that he’ll miss the contest. If James doesn’t play, the Lakers will be in tough against one of the better teams in the NBA.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Lakers are 5-1 against the spread in their past six games overall but have the chance to extend that in this one. We’ll have to see what the number is on the NBA odds if James is out because it might be a big one.
On the other hand, the over is 9-2 in the Suns last 11 games at home against teams with a road winning percentage that is greater than .600. The Suns should be able to call their number here but the question will be if the Lakers can contribute enough to push it over.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been doing just fine lately without their superstar centre Anthony Davis, who has missed the last few weeks with a calf injury. LeBron James has continued to lead the team in his absence by leading the Lakers with 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, eight assists and 1.1 steals per contest. However, what happens now if both are out?
Dennis Schroder has added playmaking and much-needed scoring to this team as well, pouring on 14.8 points and 4.7 assists per game for a team that has needed an improvement at the guard position. Montrezl Harrell has been effective too. In reality, though, this team is a championship contender with their two stars; they probably aren’t even a playoff team without them.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has been a surprisingly good team this year after they acquired Chris Paul in the offseason. Paul has been outstanding as a leader for this young Suns roster, putting up 16.0 points and 8.7 assists per game but his presence goes beyond the box score. The All-Star has taken pressure off of their leading scorer in Devin Booker, who puts up 25.0 points per game and Deandre Ayton, who averages 14.2 points and 11 rebounds. They are very well balanced across their roster with a number of young and athletic guys that can score and defend at a high level. Mikal Bridges is just one of those guys who has taken a nice leap forward in his development. This team has won 10 of 13 and won’t be slowed whether the Lakers have LeBron James in the lineup or not. The only question is if the Suns can cover the spread.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Suns?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 20 Mar 8:10pm | LAL | -3.5 -110 | O +215.5 -110 |
| Closing 22 Mar 2:04am | LAL | -10 -110 | O +215.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
Injuries
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Andre Drummond (C)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Marc Gasol (C)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Torrey Craig (SF)
Dario Saric (SF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Deandre Ayton (C)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 | 2-2 | 0-3-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Andre Drummond (C) | Ques Sun | Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 0-5-1 | + - |
|
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans. |
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| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sat | Back - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Marc Gasol (C) | Prob Sun | Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-6 | 3-6-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-1-1 | + - |
|
Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks. |
|||||
| Dario Saric (SF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 | 3-3 | 4-1-1 | + - |
|
Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Ques Tues | Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 | 3-4 | 5-1-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 | 11-6 | 9-7-1 | + - |
|
Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Jae Crowder (SF) | Out Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 14-8 | 11-10-2 | + - |
|
Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Deandre Ayton (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 12-11-2 | + - |
|
Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 | 15-12 | 15-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 | 17-13 | 18-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 Mar 8:10pm LAL -3.5 -110 O +215.5 -110 Closing 22 Mar 2:04am LAL -10 -110 O +215.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
-
Injuries
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21Andre Drummond (C)
Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Marc Gasol (C)
Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21Torrey Craig (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21Dario Saric (SF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21Jae Crowder (SF)
Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Deandre Ayton (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 2-2 0-3-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C) Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 3-3 0-5-1 + - Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C) Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 4-6 3-6-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Torrey Craig (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 2-3 3-1-1 + - Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks.
Dario Saric (SF) Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 3-3 4-1-1 + - Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 3-4 5-1-1 + - Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Cameron Payne (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers.
Cameron Payne (PG) day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return.
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 11-6 9-7-1 + - Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
Jae Crowder (SF) Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 14-8 11-10-2 + - Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest.
Deandre Ayton (C) Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 14-10 12-11-2 + - Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 15-12 15-11-2 + - Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 17-13 18-11-2 + - Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder.