The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns both figured to be rebuilding this season, but one is on a more promising path than the other. The Lakers have done better than expected to start the season, and while they are still a few games under .500, making a push for one of the final playoff spots doesn’t seem completely out of the realm of possibility at this point.
Los Angeles has only been favored in five games this season but this figures to be another one as it hosts the lowly Suns in a Pacific Division affair. Phoenix will aim to pull the upset and has done a nice job covering as an underdog this season.
At 10:30 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN for live television coverage of this NBA game on Friday, December 9, 2016, at the Staples Center.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Lakers are 10-13 straight up and 11-11-1 against the spread this season. Los Angeles has covered in five of 11 home games this season with one push. The Lakers are 2-2-1 against the spread as the favorite this year.
The Suns are just 6-15 straight up but expectations were low so they are actually 12-9 against the spread. Phoenix has covered in seven of 12 road matchups.
Injury Report
The Lakers will likely be missing their promising young point guard, D’Angelo Russell. He has a sore left knee and while he is close to returning this one may be too soon.
If Russell can’t play, that’s a big loss for the Lakers. He is averaging 16.1 points and 4.8 assists on the season and the former top pick has picked up his play as he transitions better to the NBA in his second season.
Jose Calderon is the team’s backup point guard but he is battling a sore hamstring and could also miss the game. Los Angeles is low on point guards, which could be reason for pause in choosing it to cover the spread in this matchup.
Suns forward T.J. Warren is averaging more than 17 points per game but has been out with a head injury and is unlikely to play. So both teams could be missing a key player or two for this showdown.
Player to Watch
Eric Bledsoe -- With Los Angeles light on guards, it could allow for a big game for the Suns point guard. Bledsoe leads Phoenix in scoring with 19.3 points per game and has added 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
The team’s backcourt is its strength, and Bledsoe and Devin Booker need to play well in order for Phoenix to spring the upset. Neither team is very good defensively, so Bledsoe will likely put up some big numbers, but he also needs to play well defensively and suffocate whoever runs the offense for the Lakers.
Free NBA ATS Pick
Los Angeles is in a rebuilding phase, but the play of Julius Randle, Louis Williams, Russell and Jordan Clarkson has helped expedite that process. The Lakers’ big upset was over the Golden State Warriors earlier this season and the team is 6-5 at home on the year.
Los Angeles’ defense is allowing 109.3 points per game, and while that’s among the league’s worst, Phoenix is giving up 113.1 per contest. Both have young lineups with athletic players but those who don’t yet give full effort on the defensive end.
In a game like this the home court advantage is important. Young teams generally play much better at home and this shouldn’t be an exception. There is legitimate concern about the Lakers’ point guard issues without Russell, and against a better team it could be a huge issue.
However, the Suns have struggled nearly all season and are just 3-10 on the road. The choice is the Lakers to take care of business at the Staples Center in this matchup.
NBA Odds: Thunder 117, Rockets 114
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