Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images. Pictured: Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers will likely be without star forward Anthony Davis in Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns, and sportsbooks have responded with line movements.
The Suns are consensus 5.5-point favorites (including at DraftKings) for Tuesday’s Game 5 in Phoenix with the series tied at two wins apiece. Previously, Phoenix was a 2.5-point favorite in Game 1 and a 2-point underdog in Game 2. The Suns won as favorites and lost as underdogs.
Davis injured his groin in the Lakers’ Game 4 loss at home and did not return to the game. While reports are suggesting “optimism” about Davis’ chances to return later in the series, it’s unlikely there will be much information ahead of Game 6 or a potential Game 7.
In the team’s two wins, Davis has averaged 34 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Los Angeles was 19-17 without Davis during the regular season and owns a -3.5 net rating with him on the floor this series.
The news also created quite a shift in the series prices. Los Angeles is now a +148 underdog to win this series at DraftKings, with the Suns coming back as a -182 favorite.
Los Angeles isn’t the only team in this series dealing with injury concerns. The Suns have seen starting point guard Chris Paul hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered in Game 1. Paul said after Game 4 that head coach Monty Williams was going to sit the guard before coming to an agreement that Paul would play. He responded by putting up 18 points and nine assists.
The Lakers were without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in Game 4 as well.