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, June 3rd, 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
(3-2) Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2-3)
Date: Thursday, June 3rd
Time: 10:30 PM EST
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: Suns +125 | Lakers -130
NBA Betting Odds: Lakers -2
NBA Betting Total: 207.5
Injuries continue to be the main narrative of this series with Chris Paul’s injury affecting Games 2 and 3 while losing Anthony Davis for half of Game 4 and all of Game 5 definitely impacted the defending champs who lost Game 5 via a 115-85 rout.
CP3 looked much better in the last two matches, but a shot from behind by Wesley Matthews on the veteran sent him out for most of the second half of Game 5.
Presumably, Paul will play Thursday but Davis is less certain given groin injuries tend to need rest and time something the big man has neither of.
Phoenix Suns
Despite playing only 23 minutes Chris Paul put his mark on the game early with nine points, four rebounds, six assists, and a steal.
The only starters who played more than 30 or more minutes were Devin Booker (33) and Mikal Bridges (30). Booker led the Suns with 30 points on 13 of 23 from the field plus seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal.
Phoenix jumped on the Lakers right from the tip quickly building a double-digit lead that ballooned to 30 (66-36) by halftime. LA scored 10 points in the second quarter with only two points off a made field goal and the rest coming via free throws.
Deandre Ayton had a quiet game considering his efforts through the four games prior with eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists but took only three shots.
Bridges had arguably his most efficient two-way effort with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
The reserves also produced led by Cameron Payne (16 points) and Cameron Johnson (11 points).
Los Angeles Lakers
With all the pressure on LeBron James, he seemed hesitant to be the primary scoring option. Repeatedly he got his teammate’s wide-open looks but the Suns quickly closed out on the perimeter shooters who failed to connect.
James played 32 minutes scoring 24 points on 9 of 19 from the field along with five rebounds, seven assists, and three turnovers.
Without Davis, the Lakers were hoping someone would step up but to say the Lakers ‘others’ struggled would be polite.
Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope failed to score a single point combining to go 0 of 10 from the field and the Lakers shot a season-worst 34.5% from the field.
Andre Drummond played 22 minutes collecting seven points and 13 rebounds but wasn’t much of a factor defensively with the Suns seemingly scoring at will in the paint (44 to 32).
Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker scored 15 and 11 points respectively off the bench but primarily after the game was well out of reach.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The teams are 5-5 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Suns are 6-4 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:
Turnovers were a huge Lakers problem who coughed up the ball 17 times leading to 23 Phoenix points. In comparison, the Suns committed just four turnovers for two points and had double the assists (29 to 14).
It’s never wise to bet against LeBron and I’d lay good money on the whistle blatantly favoring LA but as I’ve stated from the start of this series the Suns simply have a better overall team.
AD was the one player who gave the Lakers an edge but without him, whether it’s Game 6 or 7 the defending champs are about to be unseeded.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Bet the over
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire 2020-2021 NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!