Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers 05/27/2021 NBA Playoffs Betting Preview

The Phoenix Suns will make the short trip to Staples Center on Thursday night for Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles bounced back from a poor Game 1 effort to take Game 2 and steal home court advantage from the Suns. Now all the Lakers have to do is hold serve and win all the game at Staples Center to win the series. Games 3 and 4 will be played in L.A., so the Lakers have the chance to take control of this series in the next two games.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns have to be happy with how their young superstars have played in their first playoff series. After Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton had record-breaking playoff debuts, the two continued to play well in Game 2 with Booker scoring 31 points and Ayton contributing 22 points and 10 rebounds.

However, with Chris Paul scoring only six points and issuing five assists while playing in only 23 minutes due to a shoulder injury, the Suns got their butts kicked by the defending champions and find themselves in a position where they have to win once at Staples Center to get home court advantage back. That won’t be easy especially if Chris Paul will continue to be bothered by his right shoulder.

Paul was averaging 16.4 points per game and shooting 49.9% from the field in his last 10 games played. Those numbers are not only difficult to replace but the Suns will miss Paul’s playmaking and leadership more than his numbers. If Paul isn’t 100%, then Cameron Payne must step up as he did in Game 2.

Los Angeles Lakers

After losing Game 1, Anthony Davis took responsibility for the defeat and promised a bounce back effort in Game 2. The Brow delivered as promised as he scored 34 points, including 24 in the second half to lead the Lakers to victory. AD was aggressive all night long as evidenced by his 21 free throw attempts. LeBron James also had a big game with 23 points and 9 assists for the defending champions.

Aside from their 1-2 punch, the Lakers also got outstanding efforts from Dennis Schroder and Andre Drummond. Schroder toyed around with Phoenix’s interior defense and made too many layups en route to 24 points on 8-16 shooting. Meanwhile, Drummond was consistent all game long and contributed 15 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and one blocked shot. If Drummond and Schroder continue to play well, the Lakers will be tough to beat.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma have combined to score only nine points so far in the series. KCP went scoreless in Game 2 and Kuzma laid a fat egg in Game 1. If Los Angeles can squeeze some production from the two and their bench, it’s going to be a long series for the Suns.

Who Wins?

Phoenix is 4-1 SU in their last five games played. The Suns are also 4-1 in their last five games against the Western Conference, and 21-15 away from home this season. Los Angeles is 7-1 SU in their last eight games played. The Lakers are 5-0 in their last five games played at home, and 15-7 SU in 22 games against the Western Conference.

Head to head, the Lakers are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games played against the Suns. Los Angeles is also 6-1 in their last seven meetings against Phoenix at Staples Center.

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton continued to impress in their first playoff series while reserve Cameron Payne did a great job off the bench. However, this Phoenix team isn’t the same without Chris Paul on the court. If CP3 can’t be 100%, then it’s going to be a problem for the Suns.

Los Angeles simply has too much experience and too much firepower. Give me the Lakers to win Game 3 and take command of the series.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Other Bets to Make

The Suns are just 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games played. Phoenix is also 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games played away from home. The Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last five games when playing on one day rest, 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games when their opponent scores 100 or more points in their previous games, 0-5 ATS in their last five Thursday games, and 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven road games against an opponent with a winning home record.

The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games played. Los Angeles is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games, 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games as betting favorites, 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games after a straight up win, 2-6-1 ATS in their last eight games when playing on one-day rest, and 0-4 ATS in their last four games as home favorites.

Head to head, the Lakers have covered two out of their last three meetings. Los Angeles is also 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games against Phoenix.

Los Angeles has been in playoff mode since they were put on the brink of entering the play-in tournament. They have won seven out of their last eight games including four which have been by seven or more points. The Suns are just 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games played. I think the Lakers have the Suns right where they want them to be. The Lakers aren’t excellent at covering the spread. But look for them to make a statement in Game 3.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -7

The total has gone over in 10 out of the last 12 games played by the Suns. The over is also 11-1 in their last 12 road games, 7-1 in their last eight games after an ATS loss, 6-1 in their last seven games after a straight up defeat, 8-2-1 in their last 11 games as the betting underdog, and 15-5-1 in their last 21 games when playing on one-day rest.

The under is 43-30-2 in the Lakers’ total 75 games played this season. The total has gone under in four out of their last five Thursday home games, 11-3-2 in their last 16 games against a team with a road winning record higher than .600, 3-1-1 in their last five games as playoff game favorites, 5-2-1 in their last eight games after a straight up win, and 5-2-1 in their last eight conference quarterfinals games.

These teams hit 211 in Game 2 but combined for only 189 in Game 1. With Chris Paul’s shoulder compromised, the Suns are losing out a lot on their offense, not just in scoring but in playmaking. Defense is the name of the game in the playoffs and even the Suns’ last six conference quarterfinal games hit the under five times. The Lakers are the best defensive team in the league. We saw them close out Game 2 with terrific defense. I expect the same focus in this crucial Game 3.

Prediction: Under 210.5

Place Your Bets Now!