Lakers at Suns Game 1: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks

Our best bets for Sunday’s Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.

The Los Angeles Lakers play the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, moneyline odds and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.

The game tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC.

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a play-in tournament victory over the Golden State Warriors, putting them in the NBA playoffs as the seventh seed. With LeBron James’ ankle looking good to go, the Lakers are hoping to start their title defense journey on a positive note.

Phoenix is the second seed in the Western Conference after finishing 51-21. Chris Paul and Devin Booker led the way as the Suns ended a 10-year playoff drought, so they’ll enter the series with home-court advantage.

The Suns defeated the Lakers in the regular-season series, going 2-1, but they haven’t played James and Davis in the same game. Game 1 is the first time they’ll do so. James scored 38 points in the first matchup between the teams on March 2, while Davis dropped 42 in the last matchup on May 9.

Still, the Suns have the sixth-best defense in the league. The Lakers have the NBA’s best, so both units are facing a challenge.

The lines, courtesy of BetMGM

  • Point spread: Suns -2.5
  • Money line: Suns -140 / Lakers +115
  • Over-under: 213.5

Place your legal, online sports bets in VA, CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV at BetMGM.

Advice and prediction

With the Suns struggling to contain James and Davis in the games they played, they’re in a precarious position as they prepare to battle both simultaneously. Paul and Booker have also posted some of their worst shooting performances against L.A. this season, adding to the matchup struggles.

But both teams possess stalwart defenses, so it could be a grind-it-out opening game. Take the Lakers +2.5 and the under 213.5.

Prediction: Lakers 107, Suns 100

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

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