The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers lock horns on Friday at the Crypto.com Arena. The Suns are locked in the seventh seed with a 44-36 record, while the Lakers are vying to finish as high as third and secure homecourt advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs. They are 51-29, fourth in the West, a game behind the Denver Nuggets in third.
The Suns have won the season series 3-1 against Los Angeles. The Purple and Gold’s chances of securing a win seem bleak as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out for the rest of the regular season. Nevertheless, the Lakers still have LeBron James, and others are stepping up. It will be an intriguing matchup.
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Details
KTVK, KTPHE and Spectrum SportsNet will televise the Suns-Lakers game locally. NBA League Pass will stream the contest live online globally. The game will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Suns vs. Lakers Odds
Moneyline: Suns -209, Lakers +188
Spread: Suns -5.5 (-105), Lakers +5.5 (-115)
Total over/under: Suns o224.5 (-109), Lakers u224.5 (-114)
Suns vs. Lakers Preview
The Phoenix Suns enter this game with two wins and three losses in their last five outings. They took care of business against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday with a 112-107 win. Devin Booker recorded his third straight 30-point game, scoring 37. Dillon Brooks added 28. Khaman Maluach continued to impress in a starting role, producing four points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes.
Phoenix will be shorthanded for this game with Devin Booker and Jordan Goodwin sidelined. Jalen Green is questionable and has a 50-50 chance of playing.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak on Thursday with a 119-103 win against the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James continued to dominate as the No. 1 option with 26 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists, while Deandre Ayton added 21. Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Bronny James also scored in double-digits.
The Lakers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back. LeBron James will likely be day-to-day and Marcus Smart could be questionable to return after missing nine straight games. Jaxson Hayes might also play after missing the last two games.
Suns vs. Lakers Starting Lineups
Suns
PG – Collin Gillespie, SG – Jalen Green*, SF – Dillon Brooks, PF – Ryan Dunn, C – Mark Williams
Lakers
PG – Marcus Smart*, SG – Luke Kennard, SF – Jake LaRavia, PF – LeBron James*, C – Deandre Ayton
Suns vs. Lakers Prediction
Oddsmakers favor the Suns to win by more than five points. However, the Lakers could be the favorites if LeBron James plays. Devin Booker’s absence could significantly hurt Phoenix’s offense.
