John McCoy/Getty Images. Pictured: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns.
Suns vs. Lakers Series Odds
| Suns | Lakers | |
|---|---|---|
| Series Winner | +180 | -220 |
| Win in 4 | +2500 | +600 |
| Win in 5 | +1000 | +375 |
| Win in 6 | +700 | +250 |
| Win in 7 | +450 | +450 |
| Odds as of Thursday and via PointsBet. | ||
No. 2 Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been the most surprising team in the Western Conference this season. In back-to-back seasons, Chris Paul — with a ton of help from Devin Booker — led the Suns to their first postseason appearance since 2010, their best win percentage since 2006-07 and the No. 2 seed in the West.
The Suns finished the season ranked seventh in Offensive Rating (116.3) and sixth in Defensive Rating (110.4) this season and they had the second-best win percentage in games that saw clutch time (final five minutes with the score within five points).
The Suns’ success on both ends of the floor is a big reason why they were so good against the spread this season, particularly against teams at or above .500. They were 24-14 ATS in that spot, according to Bet Labs — easily the most profitable mark in the NBA.
Entering the postseason, the Suns have two players to watch on the injury front: Cam Johnson, who is dealing with a sore wrist and Deandre Ayton who has a sore left knee.
No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers took the long road to the NBA Playoffs after falling from third in the Western Conference at the All-Star break to seventh and in the Play-In Tournament.
Inconsistency and uncertainty was theme for the Lakers all season, but their defense remained constant all season. L.A. managed to finish first in the NBA in Defensive Rating (106.8) despite players being in and out of the lineup at various points in the season.
Their entire season hinges on the health of their three best players: LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder. James still doesn’t look 100% after suffering a high ankle sprain, Davis is nursing multiple injuries (which is the case every season) and Schroder is still getting his conditioning right after being in the COVID protocols late in the season.
Their odds in this series suggest that oddsmakers view them as healthy enough considering they are favorites against a team team that finished nine games ahead of them in the standings.
Lakers vs. Suns Game 1 Odds
| Lakers Odds | -1 |
| Suns Odds | +1 |
| Moneyline | -115 / -105 |
| Over/Under | TBA |
| Time | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Odds as of Thursday and via BetMGM. | |
Game 2: Tuesday, May 23 | 10 p.m. ET on TNT
Game 3: Thursday, May 25 | 10 p.m. ET on TNT
Game 4: Sunday, May 30 | 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Game 5: If Nec.
Game 6: If Nec.
Game 7: If Nec.