The Phoenix Suns (0-1) seek their first win of the season Friday on the road against the winless Los Angeles Lakers (0-1). Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET at Staples Center. Below, we look at the Suns vs. Lakers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Suns kicked off the season Wednesday with a 110-98 home loss to the Denver Nuggets. Phoenix held a 16-point lead late in the second quarter they scored only 40 points in the second half. Guard Devin Booker struggled as he shot 3-for-15 from the floor for just 12 points.
The Lakers also lost their season opener at home as they fell 121-114 to the Golden State Warriors. Warriors G Stephen Curry had a triple-double against them and five other Warriors scored in double digits. The Lakers had a huge game from F LeBron James, who scored 34 and had a triple-double of his own, and F Anthony Davis, who added 33 points and 11 boards, but no one else scored more than 8 points.
Suns at Lakers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Suns -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Lakers -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Suns +1.5 (-122) | Lakers -1.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Suns at Lakers key injuries
Suns
- G Landry Shamet (foot) probable
Lakers
- F Trevor Ariza (foot) out
- SG Wayne Ellington (hamstring) out
- PG Kendrick Nunn (knee) out
Suns at Lakers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 115, Lakers 111
Money line
The Suns had an awful game from Booker and no one scored more than 16 points in their season-opening loss to the Nuggets. He will have a bounce-back game and that will make all the difference. Phoenix had the league’s best road record last season at 30-17, including the playoffs.
The Lakers are a tough matchup in the frontcourt with James and Davis, and the addition of G Russell Westbrook – who only had eight points in his Lakers debut – can cancel out Suns G Chris Paul in terms of production, but they don’t have someone to stop Booker.
Take the SUNS (-108).
Against the spread
It is hard to see either one of these conference favorites to start the season 0-2, but the Lakers have a lot of new faces to find a rhythm with. The Suns are largely the same team, although they added Shamet and former Lakers C JaVale McGee.
Phoenix had the league’s second-best cover percentage last season at 59.1%, while the Lakers had the third-worst at 43.6%, including the playoffs.
Take the SUNS +1.5 (-122).
Over/Under
The Suns’ Over percentage a season ago was 55.4%, the fourth-highest in the league, while the Lakers had the lowest at 39.5%, including the playoffs. However, the projected total tonight is too low.
The Lakers’ season opener had a total of 235 and the Suns’ opener was 208 – but the Suns only shot 41% from the field. That will not be the norm for this team.
Take OVER 220.5 (-110).
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