Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers Game 3 Betting Preview
Two of the best teams in the Western Conference will continue their first-round series on Thursday as the Phoenix Suns (1-1) take on the Los Angeles Lakers (1-1). After playing the first two games in Phoenix, this series shifts to the Staples Center, with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 pm ET.
After the Suns took the opener, the Lakers bounced back on Tuesday with a 109-102 win. In the victory, Anthony Davis led all scorers with 34 points and also added ten rebounds and seven assists. Dennis Schroder added 24 while LeBron James had 23 points.
In the loss, Devin Booker had a nice game with 31 points while Deandre Ayton added 22 points and ten rebounds. Unfortunately for Phoenix fans, Chris Paul only played 23 points and had just six points.
The Lakers are the favorites playing at home. They are -300 to win while the Suns’ moneyline is +245. The spread features Phoenix +7, and the over/under for total points is 210.
By The Numbers
Offensively, Phoenix was the better of the two teams during the regular season. They ranked eighth in the NBA, averaging 114.9 points per game. The Lakers rank 23rd averaging 109.2 points.
Defensively, both of these teams were in the top ten in scoring defense. The Lakers rank second, allowing opponents just 106.5 points per game. The Suns rank seventh, allowing 109.2 points per game.
Suns Trying To Regain Home Court Advantage
It isn’t too often that the second seed finds themselves as the underdog against the seventh seed, but that is exactly the position Phoenix is in. After allowing the Lakers to steal one of the first two games, they will try to steal back the home-court advantage with a win Thursday.
Leading the way for the Suns is guard Devin Booker. This season, Booker averaged 25.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
Unfortunately, the Suns were dealt a big blow when Chris Paul hurt his shoulder in Game 1 of the series. While he finished that game and played 23 minutes in Game 2, he really wasn’t very effective for Phoenix.
A healthy Paul could be the difference in this series.
Paul is probable for Thursday’s game, but it remains to be seen how well he can play. During the regular season, he averaged 16.4 points on 49.9% shooting. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
Lakers Try To Stay Solid At Home
Finishing the regular season 42-30, the Lakers were 21-15 both at home and on the road. They came into the postseason on a five-game winning streak and will look to continue playing well at home in this one.
The Lakers have a two-headed monster in LeBron James and Anthony Davis driving their offense. In 45 games this season, James averaged 25 points on 51.3% shooting while also adding 7.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists.
Davis managed just 36 games this season but averaged 21.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Dennis Schroder has also played well this season. In 61 games, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Taking Suns And The Points
This one largely comes down to the health of Chris Paul. With limited time in Game 2 and an off day on Wednesday, the Suns hope that Paul can not only play Thursday but effectively contribute as well.
Even if Paul is mediocre, Phoenix is solid and deep enough to at least keep this one close throughout. They may not pull out the win but taking the Suns +7 seems like the smart play.
