Free NBA Pick: Suns vs. Lakers NBA Odds
Looking for Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Suns taking on the Lakers on Thursday, May 27th, 2021, at the Staples Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Suns Lakers matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(1-1) Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers (1-1)
Date: Thursday, May 27th
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: Lakers -119 | Suns +108
NBA Betting Odds: Lakers -6.5
NBA Betting Total: 208.5
As the Phoenix Suns move to Los Angeles for the next two games they are all tied up with the Lakers winning Game 2 on Tuesday 109-102.
Phoenix won the opening game of the series 99-90 but the injury to Chris Paul has quickly become the focus of the series and whether his team can beat the defending champions if the Point God can’t go in LA.
Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul is definitely not 100 percent so the ability of the Suns’ trainers and medical staff to help make him feel better could be the difference in this series.
It sure felt like a healthy CP3 down the stretch of Game 2 would’ve had an impact.
As it was he played 23 minutes garnering six points, three rebounds, five assists, and a very uncharacteristic three turnovers. Cameron Payne stepped up to fill in with 19 points, three rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and two blocks.
First-time playoff participants are playing like seasoned vets with Devin Booker leading the Suns scoring (31 points) and Deandre Ayton registering another double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds.
This team has heart and fought right to the final buzzer but facing the defending champs and with their captain hurting they’ll need the youngsters to deal with adversity like they’ve never experienced and that feels like an unfair ask.
Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Davis put the onus for the Game 1 loss on his own shoulders and came out with a mission on Tuesday leading the way with a double-double of 34 points and 10 rebounds plus seven assists, and three blocks.
His aggression led to 21 free throw attempts where he scored 18 points. With 2:15 remaining Davis hit a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 98-92 then finished clutch time taking six free throws to cement the victory.
LeBron James also scored down the stretch and registered 23 points, four rebounds, nine assists, and two steals while he continues to work his way back from the ankle injury.
Dennis Schroder was much better in Game 2 with 24 points while Andre Drummond produced a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Although the Suns didn’t allow full capacity the 11,919 fans in attendance sure sounded like a packed playoff house.
In his postgame presser, James said: “That’s what I came here for (to LA), to be able to play a playoff game in front of the Lakers faithful.”
Yet, if you watched the Clippers games at Staples, they only allow 11 percent capacity and the crowd noise wasn’t close to Phoenix. It’ll be interesting if the Lakers push to increase attendance.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Lakers are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The teams are 5-5 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 3-7 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Prediction:
Frank Vogel’s main adjustment in Game 2 was going with a bigger lineup given the Lakers have more size at essentially every position (other than Ayton).
Monty Williams needs to make LA pay by pushing the pace on makes or misses and tire out the big men. The Lakers won fast break scoring 15 to 4, topped Phoenix in steals (9 to 4), and won the glass (39 to 31).
Neither team has shot well from the perimeter but what truly sunk the Suns was their 13 turnovers which led to 21 Lakers points.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Suns +6.5
The playoff misfortunes of Chris Paul are storied — most recently in 2018 with Houston up 3-2 versus the Warriors only to watch his title hopes disappear due to a hamstring pull.
Since adopting a new vegan diet he’s missed four games in two seasons – none for injury. What makes this so topical is the Suns looked (even in Game 2) like they had the moxie to win this series. However, as the final few minutes showcased without Paul on the court to run the plays and keep everyone calm it gives the Lakers the decided advantage.
While it might not be popular, I’d sit him Thursday, get him tons of treatment, and hope the five-day rest would help him be healthier for Sunday.
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