Two Pacific Division teams will meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers will begin their title defense against the drastically improved Phoenix Suns. It is hard to imagine many NBA betting experts would have had the Lakers being the lower seed in a playoff series between these teams back before the season began. Despite this, the NBA odds have sided with Los Angeles as the favorite to win this first-round series.
This Lakers vs. Suns NBA betting series preview will explore the best NBA betting odds, provide some key betting trends and offer the top NBA betting picks and predictions for this Round 1 Playoffs matchup.
NBA Betting Preview: Picks, Odds & Betting Trends | NBA Playoffs Round 1
Lakers vs. Suns Series Info
(7) Los Angeles Lakers (43-30) vs. (2) Phoenix Suns (51-21)
Game 1: Sunday, 5/23, 3:30 EST, ABC
Game 2: Monday, 5/25, 10 EST, TNT
Game 3: Thursday, 5/27, 10 EST, TNT
Game 4: Sunday, 5/30, 3:30 EST, ABC
*Game 5: Tuesday, 6/1, TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, 6/3, TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, 6/5, TBD
* If necessary
Lakers vs. Suns NBA Betting Odds
Odds for Lakers vs. Suns NBA Playoffs Round 1 series are from BetMGM.
Series Winner: LAL: (-150) | PHX: (+125)
Series Total Game
- 4 Games (+700)
- 5 Games (+250)
- 6 Games (+190)
- 7 Games: (+180)
Series Correct Score
Suns
- 4-0 (+1800)
- 4-1 (+650)
- 4-2 (+650)
- 4-3 (+475)
Lakers
- 4-0 (+1100)
- 4-1 (+550)
- 4-2 (+350)
- 4-3 (+400)
Lakers vs. Suns NBA Playoffs Preview
The Lakers took the hard route to reach the official NBA Playoffs bracket this year. Thanks to both Anthony Davis and LeBron James missing long stretches of games due to injury, Los Angeles played the majority of the regular season at less than full strength. After a strong star, the Lakers fell apart and had to knock off the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament just to clinch the No. 7 seed. Both James and Davis are listed as questionable coming into this NBA betting series, but they will both be out there. Unfortunately, the Lakers’ depth behind those two could be challenged this postseason. Dennis Schroder and Marc Gasol are two potential series X-factors.
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No matter where he goes, Chris Paul brings a winning culture along with him. He teamed with Schroder in Oklahoma City last year and took a team many predicted wouldn’t even win 30 games all the way to the No. 5 seed. This year again Paul has once again drastically improved the team around him. Phoenix certainly has other talented players on the roster. Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton all play vital roles. But the Suns came up short of even qualifying for the postseason a year ago. To vault all the way up to the No. 2 seed is quite the accomplishment. With a season average of 8.9 assists per game, it’s obvious that Paul just has a way of making those around him better.
Lakers vs. Suns NBA Betting Trends
- Lakers are just 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games.
- Suns are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 home games against teams with a winning record.
- Suns are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in the previous game.
- Over is 7-1-1 in the Lakers’ last nine games against teams with a winning record.
- Under is 4-0 in the Suns’ last four Conference Quarterfinal games.
- Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven head-to-head matchups against the Suns in Phoenix.
Lakers vs. Suns Prediction
Not to take away from anything that the Suns accomplished this season, but this is a nightmare of a first-round opponent. Just like most NBA betting analysts, it’s highly unlikely that Phoenix expected to draw the reigning champs right out of the gates as a No. 2 seed. While this figures to be a compelling series throughout, siding with the Lakers’ superstars is the most prudent handicap. Both teams ranked top 10 in scoring defense on the season, and this series could very well turn into a grinder. Unless buying that LeBron James is still dealing with a lingering injury, it’s impossible not to ride with the Lakers here.
Series Prediction: Lakers 4, Suns 2
Lakers vs. Suns Best Bet
Series Spread: Lakers -1.5 Games (+130) — BetMGM
A deep dive into the various NBA betting odds on this series reveals some discrepancies. Consider first the fact that the Lakers are the odds-on series favorites and that the odds of them winning by at least a two-game margin are +130. Then consider the total games pricing which currently is juiced heavily to the under on 6.5 games and is approaching 2-1 odds to go the distance. Put those three pricings together and it doesn’t add up. Unless the juice to the under on 6.5 games implies that the higher-seeded Suns would win quickly, why are the odds on Los Angeles -1.5 games in the plus-money territory when they are the favorites to take the series outright? Take the value play.
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