Lakers News: Gambling Odds And Lines For LA-Phoenix Matchup Tonight
Tonight, your 35-37 Los Angeles Lakers continue their five-game Crypto.com Arena home stand against the ascendant 38-33 Phoenix Suns, currently the fourth seed in the West. LA is the 11th seed, and it's looking like a .500 record could be needed to even qualify for the play-in tournament in one of the most competitive Western Conference postseason races in modern memory.
Both teams will be carrying major injury absences into this evening's festivities. Los Angeles will be without All-Star small forward LeBron James (right foot tendon injury) and backup 3-and-D center Mo Bamba (left foot high ankle sprain). Phoenix is down both All-Star power forward Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) and double-double machine starting center Deandre Ayton (right hip contusion). The action tips off at 7 p.m. PT on ESPN.
So can the Lakers capitalize on Phoenix's absences and lack of depth and steal a key win tonight against an ostensibly better team?
Let's dive into some odds and lines, via The Action Network.
The Game Spread
Although Phoenix opened up the day as two-point favorites, that line has slid to just a one-point edge, thanks in part to the Suns' two big injuries. It's hard to feel confident about an LA team that almost lost to the Orlando Magic and did lose to the Houston Rockets (albeit without James or Anthony Davis in the latter case), but I'm going to give them the edge here. Take LA to win.
D'Angelo Russell's Total Combined Points + Assists
Can D-Lo recover from some inefficient recent shooting nights with a big game? For my prediction of an LA victory to come true, he better. The 27-year-old point guard's over/under in combined points and dimes is currently listed at 26.5. Across his last six games with LA (i.e. every game he's played since returning from that right ankle sprain), he's averaging 20.8 points and 7.3 assists... which, when combined, would tally at 28.1! Take the over.
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