Two sides who have performed far below expectations meet on the hardwood floor Thursday when the Phoenix Suns visit the Los Angeles Lakers.
Neither Phoenix nor Los Angeles has impressed much through almost 40 games of the NBA regular season. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were supposed to lift the Suns to new heights and the Lakers were supposed to build off the success of last season. As it stands, they rank ninth and 10th in the Western Conference.
The NBA odds deem this a “pick’em” match, with the Lakers’ status as favourites fluctuating between -1.5 and -0.5.
Suns vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
2023 came and went without a single victory for the Suns over the Lakers. Five games were played – spread across two seasons – and each was taken by L.A. The last time the Suns won as the visitors was in December 2021.
When the 2023-2024 season was gearing up, the plan was for the new Phoenix trifecta of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal to take command. But Beal has spent most of the season on the injury list (he’s played 13 games), Durant has missed seven matches and Booker nine. KD is fifth in the NBA in scoring (29.6 points a game), but the team is only 19-18 and 13-23-1 ATS. Ranking 14th in points against and 16th in points scored is not what the fans expected.
Much of the same can be said of the Lakers, who at least are coming off big back-to-back victories. That put an end to a four-game losing streak. But like Phoenix, L.A. hasn’t found its groove this season, save for the In-Season Tournament. They’re also well below .500 ATS at 16-22 and the 19-19 straight tally says it all. You don’t know what you’ll get from this group, except that playing at home helps a lot given the 13-6 record at Crypto.com Arena.
Phoenix Suns
Much like the Toronto Raptors this week, the Phoenix Suns get to spend a few days in Los Angeles as they conclude two road games against the Clippers and Lakers. Not only would a win on Thursday make sure they split their record in L.A. to 1-1, but it would make up for a rather lacklustre performance versus the Clippers on Monday.
That the game was relatively close heading into the last period was a minor miracle – emphasis on relatively as the Clippers led by 10. Phoenix only took 77 shots on the night, a surprisingly low figure, even for them. It was L.A.’s night, however, as they shot over 60 per cent from the field and over 50 per cent from long distance. As the fourth quarter wore down, so did the Suns begin to set, getting brutally outscored 37-20 in those final 12 minutes. Booker was a turnover machine with six and finished an unenviable -31. Other than KD’s 30 points, not much went right on this night. Suns lose big time, 138-111.
Los Angeles Lakers
After the heart-stopping win over the Clippers on Sunday night, the Lakers were involved in another breathtaking affair on Tuesday at home versus the Toronto Raptors. But the match was not without a flair of controversy.
The 132-131 win might go down as one of the games of the season, just don’t ask Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic’s opinion on the matter. His post-game tirade about the free throw discrepancy could get him a hefty fine. Then again, a 36-13 advantage in that regard for the Lakers does look a bit strange. Be that as it may, the fourth quarter was a beguiling affair, with Toronto and L.A. going back and forth until the final minute. Both teams shot way over 50 per cent and over 40 per cent from three. Say what one will about the odd free throw stats, it was entertaining for neutrals.
Anthony Davis, the major benefactor of the calls, finished with 41 points and harassed the paint all night long. LeBron James had 22 points and Christian Wood was a catalyst off the bench, netting 14 points in 24 minutes and grabbing four rebounds of his own.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 11 Jan 3:27am | LAL | -1.5 -105 | O +236.5 -110 |
| Closing 12 Jan 5:28am | LAL | -20.5 -120 | O +237.5 -130 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
| Points |
27.09 |
| Assists |
6.94 |
| Rebounds |
11.01 |
| FG% |
69.6 |
| Steals |
1.07 |
| Blocks |
1.21 |
| Points |
25.66 |
| Assists |
8.3 |
| Rebounds |
12.64 |
| FG% |
72 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
2.34 |
| Points |
27.5 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
8.25 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
27.8 |
| Assists |
8.8 |
| Rebounds |
15.6 |
| FG% |
63.4 |
| Steals |
2.4 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
27.09 |
| Assists |
6.94 |
| Rebounds |
11.01 |
| FG% |
69.6 |
| Steals |
1.07 |
| Blocks |
1.21 |
| Points |
25.66 |
| Assists |
8.3 |
| Rebounds |
12.64 |
| FG% |
72 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
2.34 |
| Points |
27.5 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
8.25 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
27.8 |
| Assists |
8.8 |
| Rebounds |
15.6 |
| FG% |
63.4 |
| Steals |
2.4 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
Injuries
Grayson Allen (SG)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Drew Eubanks (PF)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Grayson Allen (SG)
Bradley Beal (SG)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Royce O'Neale (SF)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Jaxson Hayes (C)
D'Angelo Russell (PG)
Taurean Prince (SF)
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Cam Reddish (SF)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 11 Jan 3:27am LAL -1.5 -105 O +236.5 -110 Closing 12 Jan 5:28am LAL -20.5 -120 O +237.5 -130 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
Points 27.09
Assists 6.94
Rebounds 11.01
FG% 69.6
Steals 1.07
Blocks 1.21
Points 25.66
Assists 8.3
Rebounds 12.64
FG% 72
Steals 1.25
Blocks 2.34
Points 27.5
Assists 6
Rebounds 8.25
FG% 60
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 27.8
Assists 8.8
Rebounds 15.6
FG% 63.4
Steals 2.4
Blocks 1.6
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 27.09
Assists 6.94
Rebounds 11.01
FG% 69.6
Steals 1.07
Blocks 1.21
Points 25.66
Assists 8.3
Rebounds 12.64
FG% 72
Steals 1.25
Blocks 2.34
Points 27.5
Assists 6
Rebounds 8.25
FG% 60
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 27.8
Assists 8.8
Rebounds 15.6
FG% 63.4
Steals 2.4
Blocks 1.6
-
Injuries
Grayson Allen (SG)
Out Sun Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24Eric Gordon (SG)
Prob Sat Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24Drew Eubanks (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Wed Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Ques Fri Calf - 04 / 04 / 24Grayson Allen (SG)
Prob Fri Hip - 02 / 04 / 24Bradley Beal (SG)
Prob Wed Finger - 26 / 03 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Sat Eye - 22 / 03 / 24Royce O'Neale (SF)
Prob Thurs Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Out Mon Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Prob Wed Personal - 01 / 04 / 24Gabe Vincent (SG)
Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 04 / 24Jaxson Hayes (C)
Prob Tues Calf - 31 / 03 / 24D'Angelo Russell (PG)
Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 24Taurean Prince (SF)
Prob Sun Personal - 22 / 03 / 24Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)
Out indefinitely Back - 21 / 03 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24Cam Reddish (SF)
Ques Fri Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24Injuries
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.
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.