Among many games on today's NBA schedule, one of the most interesting ones is the the one between Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns, scheduled for Saturday, at 03:00 AM BST.
In this post, I'll take a closer look at the game, team news, and odds. I'll also provide a few betting predictions for it.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns betting tips
- Moneyline betting: Phoenix Suns to win @ Evens
- Total points 1st half: Over 111.5 @ 4/5
- To score 30+ points: Kevin Durant @ 11/5
All Lakers vs Suns odds were taken from Paddy Power and are subject to change at any time.
Phoenix Suns to win
Both teams have notched wins in their first games of the new NBA seasons, with the Lakers overpowering last year's conference finalists Minnesota Timberwolves and the Suns struggling with the Clippers, but managing to beat them in overtime. So, I expect a very close and exciting game.
That being said, I can see the Suns beating the Lakers. They are more potent offensively and now have a proper playmaker in Tyus Jones, which should make it even easier for their elite scorers to score. The Lakers are better defensively, but in a close contest, I'll take offensive savants like Durant and Booker to clinch the game.
Over 111.5 total 1st half points
Both Lakers and Suns were among the teams that scored the most points in 1st halves of their games last season. The Lakers averaged 60.1 points and the Suns averaged 59.8 points and while neither of them have reached their average from last season in their first games of the new season, I expect them to rectify that on Saturday.
Furthermore, three of their last four H2H meetings have gone over 111.5 1st half points, which is another reason why this seems like a better option that betting on over total points for the entire game.
Kevin Durant to score 30+ points
We all know that Kevin Durant is a scoring machine and while it's been a while since he last averaged more than 30 points per season, this is a player who never averaged fewer than 25 points per game since his sophomore season in the league.
Since arriving to Phoenix, Durant met with the Lakers five times and in three of those games he scored more than 30 points, which is why I can see him going off tonight as well.
Lakers vs Suns preview – teams news, injuries, and predicted lineups
The Lakers will play their second game at home to open the season after edging out Minnesota Timberwolves on the opening night. Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt remain out with injuries, while Christian Koloko and Jalen Hood-Schifino are out due to being ill. Still, none of them are key pieces of the Lakers' rotation, so the LA team will be ready for the Suns.
The Lakers are 1-0 heading into this game.
Lakers starting lineup: Russell, Reaves, James, Hachimura, Davis
It was a quiet summer in Arizona, but the addition of Tyus Jones could prove to be vital for this team's success as the Suns desperately needed a good playmaker. After their opening game against the Clippers, which they've won after overtime, the Suns remain in Los Angeles to meet with the Lakers this time. Josh Okogie remains out with an injury, while Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen are listed as game-time decisions.
The Suns are 1-0 heading into this game.
Suns starting lineup: Jones, Booker, Beal, Durant, Nurkic
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