The Phoenix Suns started the 2021-22 season with a defeat. As we predicted in our Nuggets vs Suns preview, the reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had a fabulous game, scoring almost a quarter of his team’s 110 points.
Luckily for the Suns, they won’t have to think about the Serbian center in their next match. However, they will have to think about a GOAT candidate, LeBron James. It’s because, in Round 2, they’re locking horns with the Los Angeles Lakers on the road.
If you would like to learn more about this game, just keep on reading! In this Suns vs Lakers preview, we’ll analyze the odds, dissect the teams’ forms, and provide some (hopefully) valuable betting picks.
Oddsmakers Expect an Even Game
The betting odds at Arizona online sportsbooks are -110 on each team, suggesting that we’re in for a real thrill at Staples Center. Both teams kicked off their 2021-22 campaign with a defeat. As mentioned, the Suns lost to the Nuggets. The Lakers lost to their inter-state rivals, the Golden State Warriors in a high-scoring game that ended 121-114.
This time, the Lakers are taking on a team that’s very strong defensively. Sure, they got LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and many other superstars on the roster, but the Suns seem to know how to defend against them.
The thing is that the Arizona-based franchise has already beaten them twice this month. The games in question were played as a part of the pre-season, so one might argue that the Lakers weren’t giving out their best.
However, the Suns also have a good track record against the Lakers in competitive games. In fact, Phoenix was the team that knocked them out from the NBA Playoffs last season after winning 4-2 in series in Round of 16.
Chris Paul is Back for the Suns
There were rumors that he was going to stay off the court against the Nuggets, but the legendary guard played almost 34 minutes in that game.
Paul put on a pretty decent performance that night, scoring 15 points, which was the third-best in his team. He also made 10 assists, which was more than any other player in the game.
He’s expected to do something similar against the Lakers, who used to be his main rivals during his days at the Clippers.
Apart from Paul, the Suns will also rely on center Deandre Ayton. He also did very well against the Nuggets, even though there were some doubts about his focus on the game.
The story goes that his mind might be set on getting a new contract. However, the guy’s a real professional, who’s not letting such things affect him on the court. Ayton will have to be 100% concentrated on the game to lead his team to victory.
Suns vs Lakers Prediction
This is going to be a very close game, but the Phoenix Suns seem to have the key to beating the Lakers. They won five of their previous six meetings and we believe this trend will continue.
Pick: Phoenix Suns to win (-110) at DraftKings.
