Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Oct. 22, 2021

Michael Crosson
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Western Conference NBA action will conclude on Friday night with a highly anticipated playoff rematch between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. Coverage begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Suns 112, Lakers 109

Best Bets

Phoenix +2.5

Devin Booker (PHX/SG) Over Points

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions

After getting eliminated by Phoenix in the first round of last year’s playoffs, L. A. finally elected to buy into the “big three” formula this past offseason – as the Lakers acquired former MVP Russell Westbrookfrom Washington in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope back in July.

Things didn’t turn out so well during L. A.’s season-opener against the Warriors though, as aside from the combined magnificent efforts of LeBron James and Anthony Davis (67 PTS, 57.1% FG), the Lakers’ supporting cast generated just 47 points on 36.9% from the field during the Lakers’ loss on Tuesday night – with Westbrook leading the charge with a dismal 4-13 shooting effort (L, 121-114).

The Suns could only do so much about the offensive onslaught Denver brought to the Valley in their season-opener though, as the Nuggets shot 53% FG and 44% 3PA during their vengeful double-digit victory over Phoenix this past Wednesday (L, 110-98).

I’ll take the points with the Suns here, as Phoenix posted an impressive 6-3 record against the Lakers during the regular season and playoffs last year – and I somewhat doubt the acquisition of Westbrook will immediately elevate L. A. over top-tier western contenders like Phoenix.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Suns +105
• Lakers -125
• Suns +1 (-110)
• Lakers -1 (-110)
• Over 224.5 (-110)
• Under 224.5 (-110)

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Pacific
• Date: Friday, October 22, 2021
• Venue: STAPLES Center
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• TV-Time: ESPN - 10:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Phoenix Suns Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 0-1
• ATS: 0-1
• O/U: 0-1

The Suns and Jazz battled all the way down to the wire for the top seed in the West last year, as whichever team landed with the second seed would inevitably draw a first-round playoff matchup against the Lakers.

Phoenix fell one game short of the regular-season crown though, drawing that dreaded opening matchup – but things didn’t shake out so poorly for the Suns, considering their postseason journey consisted of three incredibly banged-up squads before losing to Milwaukee in the Finals.

After reaching last year’s Finals, Phoenix’s start to the new season was somewhat underwhelming, as the Suns dropped their home-opener to a team they swept out of last year’s playoffs – but honestly, the Nuggets appeared to be an unstoppable force throughout that event, and L. A. probably won’t be able to match Denver’s opening night shooting numbers.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 0-1
• ATS: 0-1
• O/U: 1-0

After coasting through most of last year’s regular season with either one or both superstars absent, the Lakers finally began to approach full-strength as the playoffs approached – and stood as the team towards the bottom of the bracket that nobody wanted to draw in the first round.

Unfortunately, those injury concerns lingered into the playoffs, as Davis ended up suffering a minor leg injury in Game 1 against Phoenix – which he admirably returned from, but noticeably hindered L. A.’s chances of advancing to the next round.

The Lakers quickly formed a drastically new method before the new season though, considering L. A. cashed in a large quantity of its supporting depth for another superstar in Westbrook.

The outcome of L. A.’s grand experiment is still yet to be seen though, considering Russ scored just eight points on 4-of-13 from the field across his first performance with the Lakers (-23) – and I imagine significantly better days are coming for the former MVP.

The Phoenix Suns have covered the spread in three straight games when facing the Los Angeles Lakers. (AP)

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Head-to-Head

The most recent meeting between the Lakers and Suns took place during the opening round of last year’s playoffs, as after splitting the first two matchups of the series, AD injured his leg and Phoenix ended up claiming three straight victories to close out the formal champions of the Orlando bubble.

Altogether though, the Suns yielded a 6-3 record against L. A. across last year’s regular season and playoffs – and for some reason, I somewhat doubt Phoenix will drop a second straight home matchup to follow up their impressive title-run.

Key Players to Watch

• PHX: Chris Paul - PG (15 ppg, 4 rpg, 10 apg)
• PHX: Devin Booker - SG (12 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg)
• LAL: LeBron James - SF (34 ppg, 11 rpg, 5 apg)
• LAL: Anthony Davis - PF (33 ppg, 11 rpg)

Injuries

• LAL: Wayne Ellington - SG (DTD)
• LAL: Kendrick Nunn - G (DTD)

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Conclusion

After losing their home-opener to Golden State on Tuesday night, the Lakers will travel to the Valley for their second matchup of the new season as narrow favorites over the Suns at the Footprint Center.

I’ll take the points with Phoenix here, as Devin Booker should bounce back after scoring just 12 points on 3-of-15 from the field during the Suns’ head-scratching loss to Denver on Wednesday night – which is why I’m also taking Booker’s scoring over in Friday’s matchup.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

• Phoenix has covered the spread in three straight games when facing Los Angeles.
• The point total has failed to go OVER in four of the last five games played between both teams.
• Phoenix has won three straight games when facing Los Angeles.

VegasInsider Staff

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