SUNDAY MAY 23, 2010 – Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns
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Team records:
Phoenix: 54-28 SU, 48-32-2 ATS
L.A.: 57-25 SU, 34-46-2 ATS
It’s been a nice little run for the Phoenix Suns, who needed only to divest themselves of the burdensome presence Shaquille O’Neal to once again become the run-and-gun team that they once were.
But it appears that the Suns, who seemed better in the regular season, really have no response to the size that the Lakers put out on the court.
Matchup: SUNS vs. LAKERS
Time: Sunday 8:30 ET
Venue: US Airways Center, Phoenix
Spread: Suns -2.5
Over/Under: 219
The Lakers have a 2-0 edge heading into tonight’s Defend-the-Alamo at all costs Game 3 in the desert, and if Phoenix is going to prevent this series from turning into a Boston/Orlando-style rout, it’s right now.
But what can the Suns do to stop a Laker team that has destroyed Phoenix in the paint and is averaging 126 points a game in the Western Conference finals?
It’s obvious that Grant Hill is too small, Robin Lopez is too inexperienced and Ama’re Stoudemire is too clueless to deal with Laker bigs Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, and doubling players in the post can leave Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant free to roam the perimeter.
Bryant is hard enough to stop when two defenders are on him, let alone none.
History is not friendly to the Suns, who have not in 12 tries won any playoff series in which they’ve lost the first two games.
Phoenix players are saying all the right things, but down deep they know that these Lakers bear no resemblance to the Trail Blazers or the Spurs, or for that matter the Lakers who struggled through the last part of the regular season. 
Several days off have given the Suns and coach Alvin Gentry time to figure out how best to attack and defend what may be the best team on the planet.
But if the Lakers continue to play their game, it looks like a quick end to a series that most fans have already given up for lost.
Lakers vs. Suns Game 3 Free NBA Prediction
Phoenix gives 2.5 in this one, the feeling being that teams down 2-0 and playing their first home game will go all-out to save face in front of the home crowd. At 3-0 it’s often time to throw in the towel.
But I love the Lakers in this one, especially on a money line bump that will give a little extra payout bump. The road is not a problem for Los Angeles, which by now must figure that Boston will finish off Orlando in four on Monday night.
The last thing the Lakers want is a 6- or 7-game series that would leave them tired for the start on the Finals.
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Lawrence Paul is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog, and is a free-lance gambling and travel expert from Massachusetts.
