NBA Predictions: Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers
Tuesday, 2/12/13, 10:30 PM EST, TV: TWSN
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -9.5
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -9
Opening Total: 201.5
Current Total: 201.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Lakers Nuggets NBA Game Preview — Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant has put up tremendous numbers against the Phoenix Suns at the Staples Center

Phoenix has dropped five of its last six games, including an embarrassing 97-69 setback to the Oklahoma City Thunder as 8.5-point home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the posted total of 205. “It is like having a bad day at work and nothing goes right for you,” commented Suns interim coach Lindsey Hunter. The Suns are 5-22 overall on the road this season, including a 2-12 mark versus Western Conference opponents. Phoenix is 14-20 ATS as an underdog this year, which is important to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page.

The Suns aren’t going to be one of the more popular NBA picks against the spread in this affair, considering the home team has won seven consecutive meetings in this series, including both this year. Phoenix is 4-7 since its Jan. 20 coaching change, but it’s important to note that those 11 games have come against opponents with a combined record of 295-213. Point guard Goran Dragic leads a group of four probable starters that average in double figures, scoring 14.2 points and dishing off 6.3 assists per game.

Los Angeles returns home after going 4-3 on its Grammy road trip, but suffered a 107-97 setback to the Miami Heat as nine-point underdogs Sunday, while going OVER the total for the second time in three contests. “For the most part, we played hard,” commented Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. He is certainly capable of leading the offensive charge in this matchup, as he’s averaged 39.3 points in his last four home games versus the Suns. The franchise is 15-10 overall at the Staples Center, including a 9-6 mark versus conference foes. Los Angeles is 2-0 SUATS as home favorites of 9.5 to 12 points this season.

The Lakers are 20-7 all-time against the Suns at this particular venue, while the home team has covered the spread in the last six meetings in this series. Los Angeles demonstrated that it was tired from traveling over 6,500 miles in a span of 13 days, as it was out-rebounded by a 38-29 margin by Miami, who entered the affair as the league’s worst team in terms of pounding the glass.