The NBA in-season tournament action resumes on Tuesday night as the Phoenix Suns visit the Los Angeles Lakers. This will be a quarterfinal matchup, and it’s also a matchup between Pacific Division rivals.
Phoenix is coming into this game with a record of 12-8, but they actually haven’t been as strong as they were expected to be this season. The Suns did just beat the Memphis Grizzlies in their most recent game, and that could give them some momentum.
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming into this game having gone 3-2 in their last five contests. Los Angeles is currently sitting at 12-9 on the year, but they are a team that is searching for consistency.
The Lakers are 1.5-point betting favorites over the Phoenix Suns in this huge matchup on Tuesday night.
Suns Have Trio of Stars
The Phoenix Suns are scoring 116.2 points per game this season, and they have three players that are leading the way on offense. Kevin Durant is once again leading this team with 31.0 points per game, and he gets more shots now that he has help.
Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have chipped in for more than 45 points per game this season, and any of the three can take over a game. This trio hasn’t been on the court a ton together at this point, but that is going to be something to watch in this one.
Phoenix is going to have to find a way to slow down LeBron James, and that has been a problem in recent games. The Suns don’t have a ton of size, and controlling the paint has been a challenge.
Lakers Want to Play Slow
The Los Angeles Lakers certainly have some offensive weapons on their roster, but this team wants to slow things down. Los Angeles is scoring 112.5 points per game, and they are also going to be without Gabe Vincent in this game.
LeBron James is having another monster season for the Lakers as he is averaging 24.4 points and 6.4 assists per game. Anthony Davis is averaging a double-double for the Lakers, and he has been able to stay relatively healthy.
Los Angeles wants to win this game with defense, and they have already proven that they can slow down this Suns attack this season.
Suns Snap Skid Against Lakers
This will already be the third time that the Suns and Lakers have played this season, and Los Angeles has won each of the first two games. Phoenix has been battling injuries for much of the season though, and that won’t be the case in this game.
Both the Suns and Lakers have proven that they lack consistency to be a great team this season, and that is going to be a key moving forward. Phoenix does have more star power on the roster in this matchup, and that will end up being the difference.
Bet on the Phoenix Suns to pull off the win on Monday night as they advance in the NBA in-season tournament.
