Lakers vs. Suns Prediction and Odds (LeBron James' Status Looms Large in Must Win Game)
By Reed Wallach
The Los Angeles Lakers are running out of time to make the NBA Playoffs.
Now two games behind the San Antonio Spurs for the 10th seed in the Western Conference with 4 games remaining, the Lakers head to Phoenix to take on the No. 1 seed Suns possibly without LeBron James, who is still battling a nagging ankle injury.
So, how should we approach this from a betting perspective? Let's first check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:
Lakers vs. Suns Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Lakers: +11.5 (-110)
- Suns: -11.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Lakers: +500
- Suns: -700
Total: 232.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Lakers vs. Suns Prediction and Pick
If James goes this would make me gravitate towards the full game over, but given the questions at the time of writing this, I'll look to the Suns team total over.
The Lakers got Anthony Davis back for this last run towards the play-in, but it hasn't helped the teams porous defense, allowing 129 to the Denver Nuggets and 114 to the New Orleans Pelicans in his first two games back. The Suns may have motivation questions given the fact that they are seven games up on the No. 1 seed in the West, but I see their offense gashing a Lakers defense that is 28th in defensive rating since the All-Star break, per NBA.com.
The team total is high at 122, but the Suns scored 140 on the hapless Lakers defense last time out and would love to put the final nail in the team's coffin for this season. If you would rather wait for more news around James, I would look to the full game over if he is ruled in. James is seemingly looking to lock up the scoring title based on how his minutes have been managed over the last two weeks.
LEAN: Suns TT Over 122, Full Game Over 232.5 if LeBron is Active
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!