Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds: Betting Favorite and Previous Matchup Results
The Phoenix Suns have failed to meet expectations, in large part because Bradley Beal was sidelined for the majority of the season with injuries to his back and ankle. It is crucial to keep in mind that while Beal’s absence in November and December certainly contributed to the Suns’ struggles, it is not the sole reason for their underperformance when considering Arizona sports betting.
Which team is expected to win: Phoenix Suns or Los Angeles Lakers?
In two of the first three games between the Lakers and the Suns, the Lakers were the favored team with spreads of 6.5 points on Oct. 26 and 2 points on Dec. 5. The Suns were favored by 2 points on Nov. 10 but lost 122-119. On Jan. 11, the Suns were 1-point favorites and won 127-109.
In the last game played in Phoenix against the opposing team, the Suns were expected to win by 3.5 points. Phoenix ended up winning 123-113, comfortably beating the spread. The Suns had a moneyline of -166 for the game.
Betting odds can change dramatically during a game day because of heavy betting activity on one side, causing the point spread to shift from morning to evening. Utilizing promotions for Arizona sports betting can help improve your chances of winning.
The most recent updates and news on Suns vs. Lakers odds
The Suns’ season got off to a rough start with unexpected injuries to Beal and Booker, causing them to miss a significant number of games. Durant has also been sidelined for a few games, while Nurkic is the only Suns player who has started every game. On the other hand, James and Davis have been present in the majority of the Lakers’ games this season.
- The Suns defeated the Lakers on February 25th with a final score of 123-113, covering the 3.5-point spread.
- Beal’s 37-point performance led the Suns to a 127-109 victory over the Lakers on January 11th.
- Beal suffered a severe ankle sprain on December 15th when he landed on the foot of Knicks forward Donte DiVincenzo while taking a jump shot. The Suns have not given a precise timeline for his comeback, but have indicated that he will be sidelined for “weeks.”
- Nurkic was struck by Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors on December 12th, leading to Green’s indefinite suspension from the NBA. This decision is expected to affect the seeding for the Western Conference playoffs, potentially forcing the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers to begin their playoff run away from home. Both teams were positioned in the No. 7-No. 10 play-in spots by the end of December.
- LeBron James guided the Lakers to a 106-103 win over the Suns in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals on November 10th, scoring 31 points, dishing out 11 assists, grabbing eight rebounds, and recording five steals.
- On September 27th, Phoenix finalized a multi-team trade involving Portland and Milwaukee, where they acquired Nurkic from the Trail Blazers. Along with Nurkic, the Suns also added forward Nassir Little, guard Grayson Allen from the Bucks, and guard Keon Johnson from the Trail Blazers to their roster.
- We completed a three-team trade on June 24th, sending Chris Paul and Landry Shamet, along with five future second-round picks, four future pick swaps, and cash, to Washington. Additionally, we traded one future second-round pick to Indiana in exchange for acquiring Bradley Beal.
- Frank Vogel was named head coach on June 6th.
- Monty Williams was released from his coaching duties on May 13th.
- We made a trade on February 9th with Brooklyn, sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four future first-round picks, and a pick swap in exchange for Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren.
The Suns-Lakers spread provides insight into the potential outcome of the game.
The results of the Lakers’ victories in the first three games of the season are expected to impact the betting odds on AZ sports betting apps. These games were all closely fought, with the Lakers winning by 5, 3, and 3 points. If the Suns are at full strength and Beal has had time to adjust to the team, this matchup could be evenly matched when it is broadcast on TNT. Fans of both teams are excited to see their rivals compete with all of their star players on the court.
What the Moneyline for the Suns vs Lakers game reveals
No matter which team is preferred, the moneyline will be tight, suggesting that the teams are evenly matched when both are fully healthy. Despite the Suns having three superstars and the Lakers having two, Lakers player Austin Reaves has been impressive this season and was favored to win the Sixth Man award in mid-December (+250) at sportsbooks like ESPN BET AZ.
The likelihood of the Suns winning against the Lakers
Frank Vogel’s extensive experience coaching the Lakers’ championship team in 2020 could provide him with a strategic advantage when facing LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Given the Suns’ ability to keep games competitive despite injuries in previous meetings, it is possible that the point spread at sportsbooks such as BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona might be affected by this recent history, especially if both teams are fully healthy.
How the Phoenix Suns can defeat the Los Angeles Lakers
Beal’s prolonged injury absences have impeded the Suns’ development of chemistry and cohesion. While the team should ideally have all three players capable of scoring 30 points each in a game, Nurkic has emerged as a solid replacement for Ayton at center.
- Nurkic excels at grabbing double-digit rebounds, achieving this feat in 11 of the first 27 games, placing him 12th in the league for rebounding average.
- Strength: Davis has proven to be a dominant force on the boards, currently leading the league in rebounds with an impressive average of 12.6 per game as of mid-December. However, he will face stiff competition from top players such as Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, and Domantas Sabonis in the race for the rebounding title.
How the Los Angeles Lakers can defeat the Phoenix Suns
- With LeBron James on your team and fully motivated, Father Time becomes a non-factor. This was clearly demonstrated during the In-Season Tournament (NBA Cup), where James was awarded MVP and Davis put on a spectacular 41-point, 20-rebound show in the championship game against Indiana.
- Weakness: Reaves may struggle with individual defense, but he compensates with his scoring abilities. He may have difficulty guarding top players such as Durant, Beal, or Booker, which opponents may exploit when facing full-strength teams.
Available prop bets for Lakers vs. Suns game.
When the Suns or Lakers are in action, you can place triple-double and double-double prop bets at various sportsbooks, such as Caesars Arizona Sportsbook. One potential winning strategy is to combine a player from a Suns or Lakers game achieving a triple-double with a player from a different NBA team also getting a triple-double, or with multiple players achieving double-doubles. By creating a three-leg parlay like this, a $10 wager could result in a payout exceeding $1,000.
Player props for the Suns vs. Lakers game.
| LeBron James | Point total over/under: 25.5 |
| Anthony Davis | Point total over/under: 25.5 |
| Kevin Durant | Point total over/under: 34 |
| Devin Booker | Point total over/under: 28 |
| Jusuf Nurkic | Rebound total over/under: 10.5 |
The projected performances of these players are all based on their past averages. In the last three games, James scored 31, 32, and 21 points, Davis scored 27, 18, and 30 points, Durant scored 31, 38, and 39 points, and Booker scored 21 points. It is difficult to determine who will excel in the fourth game, but historically, Durant has performed well against the Lakers. To potentially win money, you may want to select three to five player prop lines and combine your over and under bets in a parlay.
The past matchups between the Suns and Lakers in history
The Lakers and Suns lack a significant rivalry, with the Lakers historically considering the Boston Celtics as their main rival. Since 2010, the Lakers and Suns have only faced each other in the postseason once, in 2021, which resulted in the Suns winning the first-round series 4-2. Additionally, the Suns had victories over the Lakers in first-round series in 2006 (4-3) and 2007 (4-1).
Summarizing the latest Lakers vs Suns game
During the game against the Lakers on February 25, four out of five Suns starters scored 20 or more points. Although LeBron James scored 28 points for the Lakers, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
The Phoenix Suns’ record against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Throughout the years, the Lakers and Suns have competed 267 times, with the Lakers winning 151 of those games. The longest winning streak in their matchups was seven games, achieved three times by the Lakers and once by the Suns.
The most recent 10 games between the Suns and Lakers.
- The Phoenix Suns emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Lakers on February 25, 2024, with a final score of 123-113.
- The Suns secured a 127-109 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles on January 11, 2024.
- The Lakers emerged victorious over the Suns in Los Angeles on December 5, 2023, with a final score of 106-103.
- The Lakers emerged victorious over the Suns in Phoenix on November 10, 2023, with a final score of 122-119.
- The Lakers emerged victorious over the Suns with a 100-95 win in Los Angeles on October 26, 2023.
- The Lakers emerged victorious over the Suns on April 7, 2023, with a final score of 121-107 in Phoenix.
- On March 22, 2023, the Lakers emerged victorious over the Suns with a final score of 122-111 in Phoenix.
- The Suns beat the Lakers 130-104 in Los Angeles on December 19, 2022.
- The Suns beat the Lakers 115-105 in Los Angeles on November 22, 2022.
- The Phoenix Suns emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5, 2022, with a final score of 121-110.
Greatest Suns vs. Lakers Matches in History
As mentioned before, although these teams are not seen as traditional rivals, they have had numerous memorable games, such as the well-known phantom timeout game from earlier this season.
Match 1: May 6, 2006
The Lakers had a 3-1 lead in the first-round series and Phil Jackson’s teams had a flawless 44-0 record when ahead in a playoff series. Despite this, the Suns pulled off a comeback by winning the last three games. Tim Thomas’ game-winning 3-pointer in Game 6 led to a dominant 121-90 victory for the Suns at home.
Second game: April 29, 2007
Steve Nash was one assist away from tying Magic Johnson’s record for most assists in a playoff game. He guided his team to a 4-1 series victory, recording 23 assists in a 113-100 win in Game 4.
Game 3: June 3, 2021
Devin Booker delivered a standout performance as he led the Suns to victory in the first-round series, scoring an impressive 47 points and securing 11 rebounds in a 113-100 win. The Suns continued their winning streak, taking the first of three West series before eventually losing to Milwaukee in the finals.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers matchup
Author
Reed Joy is a veteran NBA writer with more than three decades of experience reporting on the league. He is especially knowledgeable about international basketball, having been accredited for every Olympics since the 1996 Atlanta games. Since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, he has focused on sports gambling journalism. Despite being 58 years old, Reed can still sink a 3-pointer and even throw down a dunk with the help of a ladder.
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