The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face off against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, with tip-off scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. This matchup comes as both teams are grappling with recent struggles; the Lakers currently hold a record of 34-23, while the Suns sit at 33-26.
Historically, this season has seen the Suns leading the season series against the Lakers 2-1. However, both teams are entering this game following disappointing performances. The Lakers are fresh off a narrow 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic, where they fell short as 6.5-point favorites. Despite a strong showing from guard Luka Doncic, who managed 22 points and 15 assists, his inefficient shooting (8 for 24 from the field) contributed to the loss.
On the other hand, the Suns have dropped six of their last eight games, including their latest defeat where they lost 97-81 to the Boston Celtics. In that game, they struggled offensively without key players such as Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, only managing to shoot 37% from the field. Booker’s absence due to a hip injury and Brooks’s hand injury have significantly impacted the team’s scoring capabilities.
As for the betting odds, the Lakers are favored at -220 on the moneyline, meaning a bet of $220 would yield $100 in profit, whereas a win on the Suns at +180 would return $180 for a $100 wager. Against the spread, the Lakers are favored by 5.5 points, with both the Lakers and Suns offered at -110 odds. The total points over/under is set at 222.5.
In terms of injuries, the Lakers are potentially missing forward Rui Hachimura due to illness but expect Jaxson Hayes to play after dealing with an ankle issue. The Suns will continue to be hampered by the absence of several key players, including Cole Anthony, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin.
Expert predictions suggest the Lakers should take this game, projecting a score of 106-94 in their favor. The Suns have struggled intensely in recent games, scoring just 158 points across their last two outings. This trend has led to a recommendation to bet on the Lakers to cover the spread at -5.5 and to consider betting the under on the total points due to the Suns’ ongoing offensive woes.
As the teams prepare for this pivotal matchup, it presents a crucial opportunity for the Lakers to right the ship and build momentum as they head into the latter part of the season.