Phoenix Suns (45-35) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (41-39)
April 7, 2023 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Lakers -7.5; Over/Under: +224.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Phoenix Suns at the Crypto.com Arena on Friday night.
The Phoenix Suns have been on fire as they will be looking to build on their current seven-game win streak after sneaking past the Nuggets in a 119-115 win last night. Kevin Durant led the team with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists on nine of 18 shooting, Chris Paul added 25 points on nine of 15 shooting while Deandre Ayton chipped in with 16 points on seven of nine shooting. As a team, the Suns shot 51 percent from the field and 17 of 36 from the 3-point line as they went back and forth with the Nuggets in a close contest, until they were able to go on a decisive 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to escape with the gritty victory.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in great form as they’ve won seven of their last nine games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after getting beaten by the Clippers in a 125-118 road loss on Wednesday. LeBron James shook off a slow start to lead the team with 33 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Austin Reaves added 20 points while Anthony Davis chipped in with 17 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. As a team, the Lakers shot 50 percent from the field and 12 of 29 from the 3-point line as they went cold in the second quarter and trailed by 19 points at halftime which proved just too much to overcome in the end.
Looking at the betting trends, the Suns are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a winning record, 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on zero days rest and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall. The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a loss and 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 home games following a road trip of seven of more days.
Head to head, the under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in Los Angeles, the Suns are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Los Angeles and the Suns are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings overall.
The Suns will likely be without TJ Warren again and I wouldn’t be surprised if they rested a few players given that they are locked into the fourth spot in the Western Conference. In contrast, the Lakers are precariously positioned in seventh place and they really need this win to move into the coveted sixth seed. The line is quite hefty for this one, but the Lakers simply need this win more than the Suns, so that’s what I’m going with.
