The Phoenix Suns (48-19 SU, 41-25-1 ATS) take on the Los Angeles Lakers (37-30 SU, 30-36-1 ATS) for the third and final time this season as both teams head into their last few games. The Suns won both previous meetings back in March.
- Date/Time: May 9, 10:00 p.m. ET
- Arena: Staples Center
- TV Coverage: NBAtv
- Sportsbook Odds: Suns -5.5 | O/U 215.5 (Line History)
- Suns vs Lakers (Matchup Report)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The game opened with the Suns as favorites at -5.5 and the line is now locked into -66 with even odds on the OVER and UNDER. The total opened at 215.5 and the line can now be found at either 214 or 214.5 depending on the book.
Phoenix News & Notes
The Phoenix Suns sit near the top of the league standings and have a legitimate shot at the first-overall seed as they sit just 1.5 games behind Utah in the Western Conference. The Suns' success has come largely due to a potent offense and star-studded roster.
The Suns rank ninth in the league in points per game, 10th in three-point percentage and second in field goal percentage. Phoenix also has the seventh-best offensive rating in the league and the best assist ratio in the league.
That potent offense is led primarily by the duo of Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Booker is 13th in the league in points per game with 25.6 while the ageless Paul is third in the league averaging 8.9 assists per game and is second on the team in scoring with 16.2 points per game.
The Suns are healthy as well heading into the playoffs with only part-time playoffs shooting guard Cameron Payne and forward Abdel Nader missing from the lineup.
Los Angeles News & Notes
The Los Angeles Lakers would undoubtedly be one of the top teams in the Western Conference if not for the major injuries to their two best players earlier this season. Instead, the Lakers sit in seventh place in the West and are on pace to have to win a play-in game to make the playoffs.
The Lakers are still without LeBron James who has been out since March 20 with an ankle injury. James is scheduled to return soon but has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. The Lakers will also be without forward Jared Dudley and point guard Dennis Schroder on Sunday as both are out indefinitely and they could be without forward Talen Horton-Tucker who is listed as questionable.
Luckily for the Lakers, star big man Anthony Davis has returned to the lineup after missing 30 straight games. Davis has played in nine games since returning and has over 20 points in four of the nine games including a 36 point, 12 rebound double-double on Friday.
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Buy Sports Picks NowBetting Pick: Suns -6
The Suns are healthier and better by most objective measures and are surely gunning for the top seed in the West. There is no doubt that the Suns have the offensive chops to blow out the Lakers and six points is not a prohibitive spread.
- Phoenix is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games.
- The OVER is 5-0 in Phoenix's last 5 games.
- The UNDER is 4-2 in LA Lakers' last 6 games.
