The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be back on track following a four-game slide. Coming off back-to-back wins, LeBron James and company will look to keep the good times rolling against an opponent chasing a playoff spot in the Western Conference. LeBron and the Lakers will host the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on Wednesday night. Los Angeles won the first meeting between these teams 123-115 on November 12^th but Suns star Deandre Ayton was out for that game. With him back in the lineup, can the Stuns push for an upset?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Phoenix is coming off back-to-back road wins over the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers to improve to 7-8 as the visiting team this season. The Suns are 9-6 against the spread (ATS) in those games. Phoenix is 5-1 ATS in its last six games when playing on one day of rest. However, the Suns are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games versus teams with a home winning percentage greater than .600.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 11-4 straight up at Staples Center and 9-6 against the spread. The Lakers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games versus teams with a losing SU record on the road. Los Angeles is also 5-1 ATS in its last six games following an ATS loss.

Phoenix Suns

Phoenix is coming off back-to-back road wins, including an impressive victory at Portland where they climbed out of a 19-point deficit. They’re starting to show signs of development now that Deandre Ayton is back from his suspension as the young players are stepping up. Devin Booker has led the way for Phoenix with an average of 32.5 points per game in its last two victories. Kelly Oubre also stepped up with 29 points in the win over the Trail Blazers and is pouring in 18.2 points per game over his last 10 contests. Point guard Ricky Rubio has come in and tied it all together, averaging a career-high 14.2 points per game while distributing 9.2 assists, which is second-most in the NBA.

The challenge for the Suns is this will be their fourth game in six nights, all of which were on the road. They might be a little fatigued in this spot.

Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers in their win over Dallas as the Lakers won 108-95. Davis scored 23 points on eight-of-12 from the field, with nine rebounds and four assists. Meanwhile, LeBron struggled from the field but still finished with 13 points and 13 assists. There has been some concern about his health due to a groin injury that he’s been fighting through. There’s no question that his scoring is down as he’s chipping in 19.6 points per game. That’s low for a guy who averaged 26.3 points per game in November.

The Lakers are getting good support from the cast as four different players on the roster reached double-digit point totals in the win over Dallas, including 15 points from Dwight Howard off the bench. Kyle Kuzma went scoreless against the Mavs but had scored 25 and 24 points in his two previous games, both of which set season highs.

Who Will Win Suns vs. Lakers?

Injuries

Phoenix

Cameron Johnson (PF)

Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Aron Baynes (C)

day-to-day Knee - 04 / 08 / 20

Cameron Johnson (PF)

Prob fri Illness - 31 / 07 / 20

Dario Saric (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 07 / 20

Jalen Lecque (PG)

Prob Thurs Personal - 22 / 07 / 20

Elie Okobo (SF)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 22 / 07 / 20

Aron Baynes (C)

Ques Tues Illness - 21 / 07 / 20

Ricky Rubio (PG)

Ques July 31 Undisclosed - 21 / 07 / 20

Ricky Rubio (PG)

day-to-day Finger - 11 / 03 / 20

Cameron Johnson (PF)

day-to-day Illness - 05 / 03 / 20

L.A. Lakers

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20

Injuries

Phoenix

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cameron Johnson (PF)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Johnson is dealing with a left patella tendinopathy, but he is projected to be in Thursday's lineup versus the Mavericks.
Aron Baynes (C)	day-to-day	Knee - 04 / 08 / 20	6-0	4-2	+ -
Baynes is sidelined due to a Valgus hyperextension in his right knee, and it is unknown if he will return for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF)	Prob fri	Illness - 31 / 07 / 20	7-0	5-2	+ -
Johnson is tending to mononucleosis but is likely to suit up Friday against the Wizards.
Dario Saric (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 26 / 07 / 20	7-0	5-2	+ -
Saric is dealing with a mildly sprained left ankle, but he is projected to suit up against the Wizards on Friday.
Jalen Lecque (PG)	Prob Thurs	Personal - 22 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Lecque will have to complete the league's COVID-19 quarantine protocol before he can get back on the court. It is anticipated that he will be ready for Thursday's tilt versus the Pacers.
Elie Okobo (SF)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 22 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Okobo will miss an extended period due to a right ankle sprain.
Aron Baynes (C)	Ques Tues	Illness - 21 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Baynes has recovered after he tested positive for COVID-19, and it is unknown if he will be available against the Clippers on Tuesday.
Ricky Rubio (PG)	Ques July 31	Undisclosed - 21 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Rubio has yet to report to the team, and it is unknown if he will be available July 31 versus the Wizards.
Ricky Rubio (PG)	day-to-day	Finger - 11 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Rubio sustained a right finger injury in the previous game, leaving his status for the league's hiatus unclear.
Cameron Johnson (PF)	day-to-day	Illness - 05 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Johnson has been diagnosed with mononucleosis, and it is up in the air if he will be better when the league starts up again.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Sun	Finger - 11 / 10 / 20	0-1	1-0	+ -
Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Tues	Finger - 05 / 10 / 20	0-3	1-2	+ -
Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Sun	Hip - 03 / 10 / 20	1-4	2-3	+ -
Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Wed	Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Wed	Finger - 29 / 09 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Sat	Finger - 26 / 09 / 20	2-4	4-3	+ -
Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sat	Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20	2-5	5-3	+ -
Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Thurs	Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20	2-6	5-4	+ -
Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Thurs	Finger - 23 / 09 / 20	2-6	5-4	+ -
Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Prob Sun	Back - 19 / 09 / 20	4-6	6-5	+ -
Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets.