Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview: Game 3 Odds, Picks, & Predictions
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers stumbled in their playoff opener, and for a moment in the fourth quarter Tuesday night it looked like the Suns might take a commanding 2-0 lead. However, Davis and James proved relentless, leading the Lakers to a 109-102 win. Now the Lakers host the Suns inside the Staples Center for Game 3, and NBA odds at online sportsbooks suggest Thursday night will be an uphill battle for Phoenix. Here’s a look at the betting action leading up to the game, plus a matchup preview with predictions and picks from our own Sloan Piva.
NBA Picks: Suns vs. Lakers Odds Update
- Injury Update: Chris Paul is not a game-time decision — the future Hall-of-Fame point guard will indeed be active for the Suns on Thursday night.
- GM 3 Moneyline: Nearly 90% of the moneyline handle is behind the LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, per Scores And Odds. If you want in now, you have to lay -278 at BetMGM. On the other hand, if you’re leaning toward the Suns, you can get +240 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
- GM 3 Spread: The Lakers opened -5.5 at some sportsbooks but the consensus spread is Lakers -6.5, as of 4 PM ET.
- GM 3 Over/Under: Once again a significant amount of cash is on the Over — 88% to be exact. The total is 211.5 at BetMGM and 212 at PointsBet.
Continue reading our Suns vs. Lakers Game 3 betting preview, breaking down NBA odds, picks, predictions, and our favorite promo for Thursday night!
Suns-Lakers Game 3 Preview & Predictions
Sportsbooks are all over LeBron James and the Lakers now that their core is fully intact. After falling in Game 1 99-90, LA served up a convincing 109-102 victory in Game 2. James put up a dutiful line of 23 points, nine rebounds, and four rebounds, but it was his three supporting cast members who really shined.
Anthony Davis finally looked like himself again, rising to the challenge after getting punked by young-in Deandre Ayton in Game 1. AD finished with 34 points, 10 boards, and seven dimes in a vintage Brow-raising performance. His efforts were joined by midseason buyout big Andre Drummond, who chipped in 15 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Dennis Schroder, improving upon the 2020 role of Rajon Rondo for LA, pitched in 24 points that seemed effortless against Phoenix guard “(player-popup #devin-booker)Devin Booker”:/players/devin-booker-18949’s pitiful perimeter D.
I like the Lakers to win again tonight, but I can’t possibly understand ‘dogging the Suns by seven points. LA turned the ball over just seven times Tuesday, won the rebounding battle 39-31, and finished with nine blocks to Phoenix’s four. Yet, the Suns lost by just seven. Monty Williams is far too good of a coach to allow LA to blow Phoenix’s doors off.
Remember also that LA coach Frank Vogel is essentially going with an eight-man rotation. A whopping 223.6 of LA’s 240 minutes were played by the Lakers’ core eight, which has an average age of 29.25 years. James, 36 years old, logged a few ticks under 39 minutes, and AD, 28, finished two seconds away from 40. For two guys with multiple injury issues throughout the season, and who just had to battle through an extra play-in win over Golden State, they sure are exerting themselves a lot in the first round.
I’m not grading the Suns +7 any higher than a B-minus, simply because I’ve been burned by King James far too many times in my life. But I will give the B + to the upside pick of the OVER 102.5 halftime total. I like the young, pesky Suns to get off to a fiery start Thursday, and I think both teams will shoot better than their 30-percent marks from three last game.
HALFTIME PREDICTION: Lakers 55-50
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Lakers 108-104
Suns vs. Lakers Betting Promo
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The good news is you don’t have to bet the right side to win on this game. BetMGM is running an NBA Playoff promo that all sports bettors should take advantage of: Bet $20 and Win $100 in free bets on any NBA playoff game, regardless of the wager’s outcome!
For more NBA betting analysis and picks, check out our friends at Scores And Odds. They’re covering the sports betting scene every day with their best bets for the NBA Playoffs and more!
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