Phoenix Suns (12-18) vs LA Lakers (17-12)
Some of the characters have changed but there is still little extra juice in the building when the Suns and Lakers face off.
Friday February 17
Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
10:30PM
Moneyline: No money line currently listed
Spread: Phoenix -8.5
O/U: 185.5
Phoenix
This year the Phoenix Suns are trying to hang around in the playoff race with a mish mash of a roster. Steve Nash is still probably the best pure point in the game but his surrounding cast of characters isn`t what it used to be.
The one thing the Suns have going for them is that they have been pretty good on the road with a 7-10 record. This year that is something to celebrate.
The one guy who is not letting Nash down in center Marcin Gortat.
In his second year with the Suns, Gortat has turned into a double-double machine and the only other reliable scoring option for the Suns. Phoenix has lost their last three games and also their last three to the Lakers.
The chances of them turning things around on Friday night are slim but they are 2-1-1 ATS against L.A. in recent history.
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Lakers may not be a title favourite but they are always making headlines, with Kobe Bryant moving up the all time scoring list and receiving compliments from the great Larry Bird. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
With new coach Mike Brown at the helm they have quietly become one of the better defensive teams in the league – giving up a scant 90 point per game. The Lakers have been miserable on the road but nearly unbeatable at home with a 12-2 record (9-5 ATS)
L.A. is not just a one man team…it is a three man team with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum each averaging double-doubles. I know that people are asking what is wrong with Pau but I think the expectations for him may be a little inflated from the Lakers championship days.
Either way, the big problem is that the rest of the squad doesn`t offer much, especially Metta World Peace who seems to have given up on trying to be an effective offensive player.
When the rest of the gang produces this team can compete on an elite level. When they don`t it is left to Kobe to save the day – his specialty.
Spread Pick: Phoenix +8.5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction Lakers 94 – Phoenix 90:
