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Charlie Grant
Lakers vs. Suns Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
The season is a week old and LeBron James is still seeking his first win in a Lakers uniform. Oddsmakers like his chances of picking up that first victory on Wednesday night when LA visits the talented, but inexperienced Phoenix Suns.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Lakers dropped to 0-3 straight up and against the spread this season after they lost 143-142 in overtime – as 1-point home favourites – on Monday night to the San Antonio Spurs. The Purple and Gold have been a great bet not just for those fading them but also Over players. The Over is a perfect 3-0 for LA since LeBron came to town and Monday’s match against the Spurs was the highest-scoring game in this young season. The Over has been a profitable play in the NBA this year. The Over was hitting at a 64 percent win rate (31-17) entering Tuesday’s slate of games.
The Suns won their season opener in comfortable fashion over the new-look Dallas Mavericks, but they’ve since lost and failed to cover in each of their last two contests. Phoenix is just 1-4 ATS in its last five matchups against the Lakers and the Over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings between the two Pacific Division foes.
Los Angeles Lakers
All ready lacking All-Star talent outside of James, the Lakers are trying to make due without starters Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram. The veteran point guard and third-year forward are both serving multiple game suspensions for their roles in an altercation with members of the Houston Rockets. The absence of Rondo has pushed second year guard Lonzo Ball into the starting lineup. Ball is a gifted passer but that skill set is diminished with the ball locked in James’ hands when the King is on the court.
LA is -31 plus/minus in 63 minutes with both James and Ball on the floor this season, and the team is shooting just 22 percent from 3-point range with the pair out on the court. Still, the Lakers notched 142 points on Monday. The easiest way for the club to get results is to improve at the defensive end.
Phoenix Suns
The names on Phoenix’s roster are not brand names yet but you might consider adding this squad to your League Pass package. Combo guard Devin Booker plays the pick ‘n’ roll almost as well as James Harden and rookie big man DeAndre Ayton is coming off a 20-point, 14-rebound, and five-assist performance against the Golden State Warriors on Monday. The Suns’ chief soft spot is at point guard. They entered the new campaign without a defined No. 1 option and they’re now among the league leaders in turnovers per game. That could lead to a flurry of fastbreak points for the Lakers.
