The Los Angeles Lakers looked unimpressive in their play-in game win over the Warriors, but I think they'll step it up a notch here against the no. 2 seed in the West. The Lakers have been dealing with injuries on their star players, but that also means that they've suffered less fatigue. The Suns notched the second-best regular-season record in the league, but we have yet to see this team in a playoff setting. Take the experienced Lakers to cover the number as an underdog here in the series-opener.

8* play on Los Angeles Lakers.