After taking a 2-1 series lead on Thursday, LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers have a chance to put the Phoenix Suns on the brink of elimination with a win on Sunday afternoon.
The stars were shining in L.A. on Thursday, as LeBron James and Anthony Davis powered the Lakers to a 109-95 win in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series against the Phoenix Suns. In a bizarre stat, because of last year’s playoff bubble, it was actually the defending NBA champion Lakers’ first playoff win at the Staples Center since 2012.
Up 2-1 in the series, L.A. is a 6.5-point home favourite on the NBA odds to win Game 4. The total is set at 209.5.
Suns vs. Lakers NBA Playoff Odds
With tight defensive play, the Over hasn’t hit in any game of this series and Sports Interaction bettors are split almost exactly down the middle on the Over/Under for Game 4. That split is replicated for the winner of this game, with a slight majority of bettors taking the Lakers.
Phoenix puts points up when they’re on the road. Thursday was the first time in the Suns’ last 10 road games, they haven’t hit the Over. It makes sense, as they tend to struggle at the Staples Center, dropping seven of their last eight games in L.A. Although they’re a higher seed than the Lakers, Phoenix is currently a +500 underdog to win the series.
The Lakers have come on strong at the end of the year and have now won eight of their last nine games. They’re on a six-game home winning streak and they’re a -1000 favourite to win the series. Eight of L.A.’s last 12 games against Phoenix have gone Under the total, while four of their last five games overall have also fallen short of the number.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix needs a win in Game 4 to retake home court advantage in this series. Deandre Ayton did all he could, but his team-high 22 points and game-high 11 rebounds weren’t enough in the Game 3 loss. The rest of the Suns’ big players struggled throughout the game. Chris Paul hasn’t been the same since suffering a shoulder injury in Game 1. He played limited minutes in Game 2 and Game 3 and finished with just seven points, six assists, five rebounds and a game-low minus-20 point differential on Thursday. Devin Booker wasn’t much better. After hitting the 30-point mark in back-to-back games, Booker finished Game 3 with 19 points on 6-of-19 shooting and fouled out.
Los Angeles Lakers
After a brutal 13-point performance in Game 1, Davis put up his second straight 30+ point game on Thursday, finishing with 34 points and 11 rebounds. It’s that rebounding performance that made the difference in Game 3. L.A. outrebounded the Suns 51-35 on Thursday, including 15-8 on the offensive glass. They also outscored Phoenix 58-38 in the paint. James was also on top of his game, adding 21 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Outscoring the Suns 33-23 in the third quarter, James and Davis combined for 28 points in the period, their most points of any quarter (regular season or playoffs) since becoming teammates.
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 28 May 1:48pm | PHO | -6.5 -110 | O +210.5 -110 |
| Closing 30 May 7:25pm | PHO | -6.5 -109 | O +209.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
25.55 |
| Assists |
8.89 |
| Rebounds |
10.54 |
| FG% |
62.6 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
27.32 |
| Assists |
8.55 |
| Rebounds |
11.82 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.15 |
| Blocks |
1.09 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
Injuries
Torrey Craig (SF)
Dario Saric (SF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Cameron Payne (PG)
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Jae Crowder (SF)
Deandre Ayton (C)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Cameron Johnson (PF)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Andre Drummond (C)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Marc Gasol (C)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrey Craig (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-1-1 | + - |
|
Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks. |
|||||
| Dario Saric (SF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 | 3-3 | 4-1-1 | + - |
|
Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Ques Tues | Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 | 3-4 | 5-1-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Cameron Payne (PG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | + - |
|
Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 | 11-6 | 9-7-1 | + - |
|
Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Jae Crowder (SF) | Out Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 14-8 | 11-10-2 | + - |
|
Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Deandre Ayton (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 12-11-2 | + - |
|
Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 | 15-12 | 15-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Cameron Johnson (PF) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 | 17-13 | 18-11-2 | + - |
|
Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 | 2-2 | 0-3-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Andre Drummond (C) | Ques Sun | Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 0-5-1 | + - |
|
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sat | Back - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Marc Gasol (C) | Prob Sun | Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-6 | 3-6-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 28 May 1:48pm PHO -6.5 -110 O +210.5 -110 Closing 30 May 7:25pm PHO -6.5 -109 O +209.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 25.55
Assists 8.89
Rebounds 10.54
FG% 62.6
Steals 1.41
Blocks 1.17
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 27.32
Assists 8.55
Rebounds 11.82
FG% 100
Steals 1.15
Blocks 1.09
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
-
Injuries
Torrey Craig (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21Dario Saric (SF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21Cameron Payne (PG)
day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21Ty-Shon Alexander (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21Jae Crowder (SF)
Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Deandre Ayton (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21Cameron Johnson (PF)
Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21Andre Drummond (C)
Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Marc Gasol (C)
Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Torrey Craig (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 07 / 21 2-3 3-1-1 + - Craig is bothered by a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Bucks.
Dario Saric (SF) Out indefinitely Knee - 06 / 07 / 21 3-3 4-1-1 + - Saric has torn his right ACL and he will miss an extended period.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Ques Tues Illness - 30 / 06 / 21 3-4 5-1-1 + - Johnson is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Cameron Payne (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne is nursing a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference final versus the Clippers.
Cameron Payne (PG) day-to-day Ankle - 24 / 06 / 21 4-6 5-4-1 + - Payne was lifted from Thursday's game with a left ankle injury, and he will not return.
Ty-Shon Alexander (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 03 / 06 / 21 11-6 9-7-1 + - Alexander is ailing from an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
Jae Crowder (SF) Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 14-8 11-10-2 + - Crowder will not suit up for Sunday's tilt against the Spurs, as he will be given a day of rest.
Deandre Ayton (C) Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 14-10 12-11-2 + - Ayton is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 06 / 05 / 21 15-12 15-11-2 + - Johnson has been out of commission due to a right wrist sprain, but he is expected to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF) Prob Sun Wrist - 02 / 05 / 21 17-13 18-11-2 + - Johnson is tending to a sprained right wrist, but he is likely to take the court Sunday versus the Thunder.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 2-2 0-3-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C) Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 3-3 0-5-1 + - Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C) Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 4-6 3-6-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.