Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 3 Prediction, Playoff Odds

Jordan Ramsay | Updated May 27, 2021

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After promising to be better than he was in Game 1, Anthony Davis kept his word in Game 2. Davis finished with a game-high 34 points to go along with 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and a steal.

Phoenix
51-21
AT
May 27, 2021, 10:00 PM ET
Staples Center
L.A. Lakers
42-30
Pointspread +6.5 -110
Moneyline +230
Over / Under o +211

66%

Betting Action

34%

Matchup Odds
Pointspread -6.5 -110
Moneyline -278
Over / Under u +211

66%

Betting Action

34%

Matchup Odds

The Lakers desperately needed their 109-102 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 on Tuesday, if for no other reason than confidence.  Now tied at 1-1, this series will shift to L.A. for Game 3 on Thursday.

L.A. is a 7-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 210.5.

Suns vs. Lakers NBA Playoff Odds

The Game 2 loss dropped Phoenix’s record to 5-12 straight up in their last 17 games against the Lakers.  That doesn’t seem to have scared off many bettors though, as 60 per cent of action is siding with the Suns on Sports Interaction.  The Over is favoured by about the same margin, which makes sense when you see that Phoenix has gone above the number in five straight road games and 10 of their last 12 games overall.

The Lakers have improved to 7-1 SU over their last eight games.  They also come into Game 3 with a five-game home winning streak.  They haven’t been a great cover option, going 5-12-1 against the spread in their last 18 games.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns looked hungry in their Game 1 win, but their lack of playoff experience seemed to hurt them in the Game 2 loss.  They looked disorganized, picking up 24-second violations, unforced turnovers and several defensive errors.  The biggest concern is the health of Chris Paul, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury.  Paul was limited to 21 minutes of action in Game 2, only seven of which were in the second half.  He’s expected to start Game 3, but his minutes will likely be limited and you’ve got to wonder how effective he can be with a nagging shoulder injury.

With Paul hurt, even more responsibility will fall on Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.  Booker finished with 31 points and three assists on Tuesday, while Ayton added 22 points and 10 rebounds.  Booker struggled from deep, missing all three 3-point attempts, but he did nail all 17 free-throw shots.  Ayton was more accurate, going 11-for-13 from the field.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers heard the noise from their disappointing Game 1 loss and came out with vengeance on their minds for Game 2.  L.A. was hitting shots offensively, while still locking things down on the backcourt.  With Paul not at 100 per cent, the Lakers focused on doubling up Booker and protecting the 3-point line.  L.A. held Phoenix to just eight threes on 30 per cent shooting.  The Lakers received some much needed secondary scoring from Andre Drummond and Dennis Schroder.  Drummond had 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, while Schroder had 24 points, three rebounds and three assists.

The key players, however, were LeBron James and Anthony Davis.  James finished with 23 points and nine assists, while hitting a dagger three to seal the deal at the end of the game.  Davis was even better.  After promising to be better than he was in Game 1, Davis finished Game 2 with a game-high 34 points to go along with 10 rebounds and seven assists.  He also had one steal and three blocks.

NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Lakers?

NBA Predictions
SportsInteraction
  • PHO
  • +6.5 -6.5
  • LAL
Matchup NBA Odds