The Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) and the Phoenix Suns (1-0) are slated to match up in a Pacific Division matchup on Friday night. The Lakers opened up the season on Tuesday, when they outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103. The Suns went on the road for Game 1, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 116-113 in an overtime bout. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) and Christian Wood (knee) are out for the Lakers. Josh Okogie (hamstring) is out for Phoenix, while Grayson Allen (Achilles) and Bradley Beal (shoulder) are probable.
Tip-off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is set for 10 p.m. ET. Los Angeles is a 1.5-point favorite in the latest Suns vs. Lakers odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is down to 227 after opening at 229. Before locking in any Lakers vs. Suns picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six seasons. The model ended the 2023-24 season on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning more than $2,800 in the process. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Suns vs. Lakers 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Lakers vs. Suns:
- Lakers vs. Suns spread: Los Angeles -1.5
- Lakers vs. Suns over/under: 227 points
- Lakers vs. Suns money line: Los Angeles -122, Phoenix +102
- PHO: 36-49-2 ATS since beginning of last season
- LAL: 44-46 ATS since beginning of last season
- Lakers vs. Suns picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Lakers vs. Suns streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Lakers can cover
Forward Anthony Davis is a two-way force for the Lakers. Davis continues to be a relentless defender while being a consistent scorer on the offensive end. In the season-opening win over the Timberwolves, Davis dropped 36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. In 34 career games versus Phoenix, he averages 23.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
Forward LeBron James is still able to impact the game. On Tuesday, James racked up 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Forward Rui Hachimura was also aggressive in the season opener, finishing with 18 points and five boards. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Suns can cover
Forward Kevin Durant excels in multiple areas. Durant owns a knockdown jumper and is able to shoot off the dribble constantly. In the season-opening win over the Clippers, the 14-time All-Star racked up 25 points, seven rebounds and three steals. He also knocked down two 3-pointers. Durant has dropped 30-plus points in three of the past five games against the Lakers.
Beal is entering his second season with the Suns. Beal has handles to create space on the perimeter. He likes to put the ball on the deck while using his smooth jumper to keep defenders guessing. The Florida product dropped 24 points, three rebounds and made three 3-pointers on Wednesday. Last season, Beal averaged 18.2 points in Phoenix. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Suns vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over the total, projecting 230 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s picks.
So who wins Suns vs. Lakers on Friday night, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Suns vs. Lakers spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
