Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Odds, Predictions & Player Props (Feb. 25)

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25 February 2024

An important game in the Western Conference playoff race takes place today in Phoenix as the Los Angeles Lakers (31-27, 11-18 away) visit the Phoenix Suns (33-24, 18-11 home) at the Footprint Center at 12:40 pm PT/3:40 pm ET. The Lakers are currently 2.5 games behind the Suns for the #8 seed in the West, while the Suns (and Sacramento Kings) are only half a game behind the Dallas Mavericks for the #6 seed.

The Suns have limped out of the gate following the All-Star break, losing two in a row. But both came on the road and oddsmakers have set Phoenix as a 3.5-point home favorite for Sunday’s matinee.

Lakers vs Suns Odds

The Suns are also -168 favorites on the moneyline in Sunday’s NBA odds with the Lakers coming back as +135 underdogs to win straight-up. The over/under of 240.5 is the second-highest among the 11 NBA games on Sunday’s schedule (only Dallas/Indiana at 253.5 is higher).

Odds as of Feb. 25 at BetMGM. Claim this BetMGM sign up promo to get $150 in bonus bets to use on the NBA today. NC residents can see the latest on BetMGM app in North Carolina.

If the NBA playoff bracket were cemented today, the Suns would face the Kings in the 7-vs-8 Play-In Game, with the winner claiming the #7 seed and the loser moving onto face the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors in the 9-vs-10 game.

Suns Struggling Post-All-Star Break

Phoenix has dropped both of its games after the hiatus. The Suns fell 123-113 at Dallas on Thursday and 114-110 at Houston on Friday. Injuries continue to plague Frank Vogel’s team: Bradley Beal (hamstring) missed both games and will be out again on Sunday. Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) missed the Houston game but is listed as probable against the lakers. And Eric Gordon (groin) suited up for both but is questionable today.

The Houston game was one of the worst offensive performances from Phoenix this season. The team shot just 40% from the field and an ugly 22.6% (7-of-31) from three. Nearly a quarter of the Suns’ points came from the free-throw line (27-of-35) and they lost despite grabbing more rebounds (58-54) and committing fewer turnovers (10 to 14).

With Kevin Durant (28.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.6 APG) and Devin Booker (27.6 PPG, 6.9 APG) both having solid seasons, the Suns currently sit 11th on Offensive Rating at 117.6 and 14th in Defensive Rating at 114.6.

With LeBron Back, Lakers Get Back in Win Column

The Lakers also started their post-All-Star schedule with a disappointing 126-110 loss at Golden State (with LeBron James sitting due to an ankle injury). LeBron returned on Friday, though, and dropped a team-high 30 points, along with nine assists, and seven rebounds to lead his Lakers past San Antonio 123-118 at home. Anthony Davis added 28 points and 13 rebounds in a game the Lakers never trailed after the five-minute mark and led by as many as 18 in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers have one of the starkest home/road splits in the league. LA is 20-9 on its home court and just 11-18 away from home. That said, LA has won four of its last five road games, including a 114-105 win at league-leading Boston.

Anchored by Davis, the Lakers’ defense has been respectable this year (114.9 D-Rating, 15th) but their offense has been subpar. The team is just 18th in O-Rating at 114.5 and has a -0.5 Net Rating as a result (19th).

LAL vs PHX Player Props

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Durant and Booker are tied for the highest point total at 29.5 in Sunday’s NBA player props. Davis (24.5) is the highest among the Lakers, a point more than LeBron (23.5).

Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Prediction

The Suns have been an immensely frustrating team all season. They were neck-and-neck with the Nuggets at the top of the NBA Western Conference odds at the start of the season but really haven’t lived up to their potential. While both James and Davis are listed on LA’s injury report on Sunday, all signs point to both playing; they both played 34 and 29 minutes, respectively, on Friday and have had two days to rest. Phoenix, meanwhile, will once again be missing Beal and could be without Gordon as well.

LA is already 3-1 against Phoenix this season (1-0 at the Footprint Center) and this is a prime spot for the Lakers to continue their resurgence on the road.

LAL vs PHX pick: Lakers moneyline (+135)