Suns vs. Lakers Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Jeremy Perry
The third matchup of the season between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers will take place on Sunday night. The Lakers have recently fallen all the way down to seventh place in the Western Conference, losing five of their last six games, and that’s significant because they are now in a position where they will have to participate in a play-in game just to make the playoffs. Now they face a tough Phoenix team that has been on a tear lately, winning six of their last seven. Will the Suns add another win onto their hot streak, or can the Lakers finally snag a dub to scrape them out of the play-in tournament?
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The over happens to be 4-0 in the last four games for the Suns when picking up a straight up win in the previous game. The team has scored over 120 points in four of their past five games and they could continue that stretch against a Lakers team that will be shorthanded.
On the other hand, the Lakers are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games when coming off an ATS win. Los Angeles is in fear of that dropping even lower as the team has battled numerous injuries along with inconsistent play from their role players.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns are just one game shy of holding first place in the Western Conference with their 48-19 record on the season. They’ll search to pick up that win here against a Lakers team they have already beaten twice this year. They won the first meeting by 10 points and the second by 17.
Phoenix has been able to rise in the rankings due to the phenomenal play of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, a pair of All-Stars that have led the team. The two have formed quite the dynamic duo this year and have provided excellent and consistent offence for the team. Paul is the key, as he has a combined 23 assists in the two games against the Lakers this season. The Suns are hoping that Paul and Booker are able to lead them to yet another win as they search to end this season with the No. 1 seed out West.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers will be getting a giant boost to their rotation in this matchup as Anthony Davis will be out on the floor for tonight’s game. He played in the team’s last game against the Portland Trail Blazers and posted 36 points and 12 rebounds. However, he has missed each of the first two games against the Suns. LeBron James is going to miss this contest with an injured ankle, further depleting a roster that is already without Dennis Schroder. Los Angeles will definitely have their work cut out for them in a very important game. A loss could bump them further into the play-in tournament, a spot the team definitely doesn’t wish to be in with the talent they have on their roster. Expect this team to give a heartfelt effort even while missing a few men.
The issue is, L.A. doesn’t have enough offence these days. They’re averaging just 102.5 points per game over their last six, which simply isn’t good enough.
PHO
LAL