Pro Basketball Betting Odds and Predictions: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns
Wednesday, 1/30/13, 10:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -3
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -2.5
Opening Total: 201
Current Total: 201.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Lakers Nuggets NBA Game Preview — Los Angeles Lakers SG Kobe Bryant has gotten his teammates involved offensively over the past three games

Los Angeles has put together a three-game winning streak, which includes a 111-106 victory over the New Orleans Hornets as eight-point home favorites, while going OVER the posted total for the first time in three contests. The Lakers recent run has been made possible by guard Kobe Bryant’s unselfish play, as he’s tallied a double-digit assist number in that span. It’s still important to note that the franchise is a dismal 5-15 on the road during the 2012-13 NBA season. Los Angeles is 3-5 ATS when playing on back-to-back days, with the UNDER going 5-3 in that situation.

The Lakers will be playing their next seven games away from Staples Center, which is important to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page over the next two weeks. Los Angeles is 6-14 ATS away from Southern California, including an 0-3 ATS mark when playing on the road when the total is between 200 and 204.5. In 57 career games versus the Suns, Bryant has averaged 26.8 points.

Phoenix has dropped back-to-back games, including a 110-95 blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks as eight-point road underdogs, while going OVER the total for a second consecutive contest. “We’ll get back to work,” commented Suns interim coach Lindsey Hunter. The Suns are 11-11 at the US Airways Center, including a 7-6 mark versus Western Conference opponents. Phoenix is 6-9 ATS as home underdogs of three points or less over the last two-plus seasons, something to consider when making your pro basketball picks Wednesday night.

The Suns have won two of their last three meetings against the Lakers, but they suffered a 114-102 defeat as nine-point road underdogs on Nov. 16. Phoenix has trailed by 10 or more points in 33 of 44 games this season, but only one team in the league has had more games decided by three or fewer points. Of the team’s 11 victories in front of the home crowd—six have come after trailing by double digits.