The Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers will square off at the Staples Center on Sunday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Suns-Lakers prediction and pick.
This game is potentially a first-round preview as these teams are in a position to likely face off if the season were to end today. The Lakers and Suns have been on two completely different paths of late. Los Angeles is reeling and the Suns are thriving as the season comes to a close. Will the Lakers come away with a crucial victory with the play-in tournament just around the corner?
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Suns-Lakers odds.
NBA Odds: Suns-Lakers Odds
Phoenix Suns -7.5 (-108)
Los Angeles Lakers +7.5 (-112)
Over 215 Points (-110)
Under 215 Points (-110)
Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
The Phoenix Suns have been playing incredible basketball of late. The Suns had an impressive Eastern Conference road trip a few weeks ago with wins in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York. They then returned to Phoenix and defeated the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz in back-to-back games. Since the win against the Jazz, Phoenix is 3-1 in their last four games with their most recent victory coming against the Knicks. The 23-point victory against New York in their last game showed that this team is truly a top offensive and defensive team in the NBA and a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
Not enough can be said about the importance of Chris Paul to this team. In his first season with the Suns, Paul has catapulted this group to become a top-two team in the loaded Western Conference. The Suns have on six of their last seven games and remain within striking distance of the Jazz for the top seed with five games to play. Phoenix has a fairly favorable remaining schedule, which leaves us wondering if Chris Paul will play at full capacity down the stretch. Either way, this Suns team is loaded with talent and depth that is hard to match.
Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
The Los Angeles Lakers are in a horrible spot with just five games left to play in the regular season. The Lakers now find themselves in the seventh spot out west, which will likely earn them a trip to the first-ever play-in tournament. The injury-plagued Lakers can't seem to get anything going without LeBron James on the court. The defense hasn't been horrible, but the offensive output has plummeted without a true point guard on the court.
Los Angeles has now entered desperation mode as they're 1.5 games back of Portland for the sixth seed and have voiced their concerns about the play-in tournament. They've lost five or their last six games including losses against the Wizards, Kings, Raptors, Clippers, and Blazers. Their lone win came against the Nuggets, which showed at least a glimpse of hope. With Anthony Davis probable to play against Phoenix, the Lakers will need 110% from their star forward in order to come away victorious.
Final Suns-Lakers Prediction & Pick
The Los Angeles Lakers have been an absolute train wreck over the past few weeks. LeBron is out, Dennis Schroder is out, and Anthony Davis is far less than 100% right now. That right there is almost the Lakers' entire offensive production. With no true point guard and playmaker, it is literally all on AD to create offense. Phoenix is an offensive and defensive juggernaut that has been better in all facets of the game. The Suns are in a great spot to absolutely destroy the Lakers on the road.
FINAL PICK: Phoenix Suns -7.5 (-108)
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