The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers conclude two nights of quarterfinal tournament action on Tuesday when they battle at crypto.com Arena.
Both the Lakers and Suns are finding their rhythm at this relatively early stage of the season. Each side has been dealt important injury blows, and so far wins have been more difficult to come by than originally foreseen. That said, both took down their opponents on Saturday. The Suns burned the Grizzlies 116-109, whereas the Lakers grounded the Rockets 107-97.
This knockout-round match is a tough one to call according to the NBA odds. The Lakers are the slightest of favourites, pegged at -1.5.
Suns vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds
As happenstance would have it, this is already the third time this season that Phoenix and L.A. butt heads. They clashed in the opening week of the calendar, with the purple and gold earning a 100-95 victory, then a few weeks later in the desert, where the Lakers won again, this time 122-119.
Should the Suns get eliminated on Tuesday, the entire 2023 year will have gone by without a single win over their Los Angeles rivals. The latter has won all four tilts. Funnily, Phoenix had been riding a six-game winning streak before then.
As previously stated, things aren’t terribly smooth in Phoenix. Not bad, but not smooth. Look no further than their 9-10-1 record against the spread. To that effect, the club had covered four times in a row not long ago before failing to do so for the past three matches. One can depend on Phoenix being involved in high-scoring games given the over’s 14-6 record.
The Lakers’ 12-9 tally in the standings is reversed regarding the spread. At 9-12, they’re a dubious proposition. That streak we keep writing about? The one in which the results of their spreads keep changing? Well, it’s carried over into December. Take note that they covered on Saturday. The run is now 15 games!
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix struggled for a while against a Memphis Grizzlies side that’s proven to be a tough out at times on the road. The visitors demonstrated some resolve in the first half before the hosts took over in the second, winning the contest 116-109.
The Suns are one of the best three-point shooting units in the NBA (38.4 per cent, fourth), but Saturday was a slightly off night as they went 9-for-26. They struggled a lot to contain Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who fired and bullied his way to 37 points. The balance of power shifted in the third quarter when Phoenix dominated 34-21. Devin Booker got hot, hitting 9-of-21 and going perfect from the line (13 shots) for 34 points. He also corralled 10 boards, making for a nice double-double night. Kevin Durant got busy in the second half as well, which is when he tallied most of his 27 points.
Eric Gordon is listed as day-to-day.
Los Angeles Lakers
It was another round of Dillon Brooks vs. LeBron James on Saturday, only this time the king got involved with Rockets coach Ime Udoka. The latter was even dealt a second technical and ejected for getting into a tense repartee with James.
When all was said and done, the Lakers proved to be too much for the Rockets, who are 0-8 away from home. James didn’t need to be special with the way some of his teammates played, although his 360-degree spin for a layup in the second quarter was amazing. L.A. often blitzed Houston for turnovers and scored on the counter-attack. Austin Reaves was sensational off the bench, playing with speed and poise en route to an 18-point night. Anthony Davis was his usual efficient self (27 points, 14 rebounds) but what helped a lot were double-digit nights from supporting cast members Cam Reddish (11), Taurean Prince (11), and Max Christie (12). Lakers win, 107-97.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Lakers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 29 Nov 9:27pm | LAL | -1.5 -115 | O +223.5 -115 |
| Closing 6 Dec 5:24am | LAL | -2.5 -110 | U +221.5 -115 |
- 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 29 Nov 9:27pm LAL -1.5 -115 O +223.5 -115 Closing 6 Dec 5:24am LAL -2.5 -110 U +221.5 -115 -
- 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.