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The Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers are squaring off in one of the most exciting first-round series in the Western Conference. In this Lakers-Suns series post, we'll look at a variety of things such as odds, predictions and the like.
It's amazing that these two teams are facing off in the first round with how talented they are, but a plethora of injuries put the Lakers backs up against the wall and now they have a tall task ahead of them. The Suns won the head-to-head season series 2-1 and now have to get past the defending champs four times in order to advance in their return to the postseason.
Lakers-Suns Series Odds (Updated 5/31)
Lakers-Suns Series Winner
Los Angeles Lakers (+142)
Phoenix Suns (-178)
Lakers-Suns Round Series Schedule
Game 1: LAL 90-99 PHX
Game 2: LAL 109-102 PHX
Game 3: PHX 95-109 LAL
Game 4: PHX 100-92 LAL
Game 5: LAL 85-115 PHX
Game 6: PHX 113-100 LAL
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No. 2 Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are one of the most talented and well-versed teams in the entire NBA. With the addition of legendary point guard Chris Paul in the offseason, this Suns team finally got what they were missing. Paul brings a level of experience and poise that Phoenix was desperately lacking last season. We should've seen this sort of breakout coming after their 8-0 performance in the NBA Bubble, though. Phoenix is locked and loaded for a deep playoff run in their return to the postseason.
The Suns played some of the most efficient basketball in the NBA as they were second in field-goal percentage, seventh in three-point percentage, and eighth in total scoring. They allowed the seventh-fewest points and smothered teams in a nightly basis. With a 28-9 record at home, entering this series with home-court advantage is just what the doctor ordered. Phoenix won the season series 2-1 and shot at least 48% from the field in all three of those games.
No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most disappointing storylines of the regular season and now have a chance to be one of the best stories of the postseason. The defending champions ran into all sorts of problems during the regular season. First Anthony Davis hit the shelf, then LeBron James, and next thing you know, this team is in the first ever play-in tournament. Davis and James returned to the court late in the season, but it was too late to make a push back into the top six.
The Lakers got past Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the play-in game by just three points. LeBron showed why he is still the king as he hit a dagger three with just seconds remaining to secure the victory and the Lakers spot in the postseason. Los Angeles really struggled on the offensive end this season and although it may have a direct correlation with Davis and James extended absences, the truth is that this team is built around its defense. The second-most efficient defense in the league will now be tasked with slowing down a juggernaut offense in Phoenix. The defending champions do hold a significant edge in playoff experience, which could ultimately be the difference maker.
Game 1 update: The Suns caught fire in Game 1 and the Lakers never made a series run at a comeback, with Phoenix taking a 1-0 lead by a final score of 99-90.
Game 2 update: The defending champions returned with more energy in Game 2, outlasting a second-half surge by the Suns to even up the series. After a mediocre Game 1 outing, Anthony Davis was outstanding.
Game 3 update: Defense was the name of the game in Game 3, with the Lakers feeding off the energy of the Staples Center crowd to take a 2-1 series lead by a final score of 109-95.
Game 4 update: The Suns bounced back to even the series with an inspired effort from Chris Paul and an injury to Anthony Davis that kept him out of the second half.
Lakers-Suns Series Prediction and Pick (5/26)
I am high on the Phoenix Suns and there is a ton of value in picking them. The Lakers deserve to be the favorites and very well could knock the Suns off in the first round, but I'm leaning on the talent advantage that the Phoenix Suns possess to be the difference. The Lakers are erratic from deep and don't have enough spacing to support LeBron and AD. Los Angeles may be a defensive machine, but the truth is that they're not much better than the Suns on that end of the floor. The disparity in offensive output will be the ultimate key in this series.
FINAL PICKS (5/26)
Lakers-Suns Series Winner: Phoenix Suns (+250)
Lakers-Suns Series Spread: Phoenix Suns +1.5 (+136)
