PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Game of the Week - 17-4 NBA Games of Week/Month/Year
(NBA) Phoenix vs. LA Lakers,
Point Spread: 7.00 | -104.00 Phoenix (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 7.00 | -104.00 Phoenix (Away)
Result: Loss
LeBron James is fine. Chris Paul is not. Paul's playing almost with just one arm because of a shoulder injury. Despite this, I like the Suns to cover this Game 3 margin.
The Lakers often are overpriced at home. They are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games. The Suns didn't achieve the NBA's second-best record by not overcoming some adversity and by not being resilient. They deserve more respect. Phoenix is 11-3 ATS following a loss and has covered seven of the past nine times when taking points on the road.
Paul was ineffective because of his injury when the Lakers evened the series at 1-1 by defeating the Suns, 109-102, two days ago. I'm not expecting much now from the 36-year-old Paul. But I do have faith in reserve point guard Cameron Payne. He played well in that Game 2 loss.
James and Paul dominate the headlines. Paul isn't the Suns' best player, though. Devin Booker is. He's an emerging superstar. who doesn't get the attention he deserves. Big man Deandre Ayton gives the Suns the fourth-best player on the court next to James, Anthony Davis and Booker.
The Lakers have enough superstar greatness and savvy to probably win this series. But there aren't going to be blowout games. The Suns will keep this one close.
The Lakers often are overpriced at home. They are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games. The Suns didn't achieve the NBA's second-best record by not overcoming some adversity and by not being resilient. They deserve more respect. Phoenix is 11-3 ATS following a loss and has covered seven of the past nine times when taking points on the road.
Paul was ineffective because of his injury when the Lakers evened the series at 1-1 by defeating the Suns, 109-102, two days ago. I'm not expecting much now from the 36-year-old Paul. But I do have faith in reserve point guard Cameron Payne. He played well in that Game 2 loss.
James and Paul dominate the headlines. Paul isn't the Suns' best player, though. Devin Booker is. He's an emerging superstar. who doesn't get the attention he deserves. Big man Deandre Ayton gives the Suns the fourth-best player on the court next to James, Anthony Davis and Booker.
The Lakers have enough superstar greatness and savvy to probably win this series. But there aren't going to be blowout games. The Suns will keep this one close.
