Suns vs Lakers Game 6

Suns vs Lakers Game 6 | NBA Betting Odds

Written by on June 3, 2021

LeBron James has never lost a first-round playoff series. However, his Los Angeles Lakers are down 3-2 to the Phoenix Suns as their Western Conference matchup goes back to L.A. on Thursday. Will Anthony Davis play? That’s the big question. The Lakers are short favorites on the NBA odds.

How to Bet Suns at Lakers NBA Odds & TV Info

  • When: Thursday, 10:30 PM ET
  • Where: Staples Center
  • TV: TNT
  • Stream: TNT app
  • Radio:com

Why Bet on Phoenix? | NBA Betting Odds

The Suns came out like gangbusters on Tuesday in front of their largest home crowd of the season and blew the doors off the Lakers in a 115-85 win. The Suns held an eight-point lead after the first quarter, and from there, it snowballed.

Devin Booker spearheaded the Suns’ early onslaught by scoring 18 of his 30 points in the first quarter. Cameron Payne also scored 10 of his 16 points in the opening frame, igniting a 16-0 Suns run to take control for good. Phoenix went on a 24-2 run. The Lakers scored just 10 points in the second quarter.

Phoenix then pushed its lead to a franchise-playoff-record 30 points at halftime and 36 points after intermission. The 30-point final scoring margin was the fourth-largest in a playoff game in franchise history, and the largest since a 31-point victory over the Lakers in 2006.

Deandre Ayton had eight points and seven rebounds in 27 minutes. Ayton had recorded a double-double in each of the Suns’ four previous playoff games, but that streak finally came to an end in this one, though it was also the first game of the series where he didn’t play at least 30 minutes. Ayton is averaging 17.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game while shooting 80 percent from the field in this series.

Meanwhile, Payne has more than did his part providing much-needed relief for a hobbled Chris Paul. In the last four games, Payne is averaging 15.8 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds on 49.0% shooting from the floor, 45.0% shooting from three, and 100% shooting from the foul line.

Paul has been playing through an injured shoulder since Game 1 and he suffered a setback in Game 5. With around half of the third quarter left to play, Paul was still in the game despite a 33-point lead. As he and Wesley Matthews fought for a rebound, Matthews committed a foul on Paul that sent him to the floor writhing in pain holding that right shoulder. Paul was able to shoot the two free throws after a lengthy review, but immediately afterward he was pulled from the game for good.  Paul finished the game with nine points, six assists and four rebounds.

It’s unclear if Paul will play in Game 6 in L.A., but Suns coach Monty Williams sounded somewhat optimistic about his outlook after the game.

Why Bet on LA Lakers? | NBA Betting Odds

How bad was Tuesday’s loss? The Lakers trailed by 30 points at halftime. That was the largest halftime deficit for a LeBron James team in his playoff career. It was also the Lakers’ largest halftime deficit in a playoff game since 1992. L.A. turned the ball over 16 times, which led to 23 Phoenix points. The Suns had just four turnovers.

“We got our ass kicked. It is just that simple,” James said. “They did whatever they wanted to in this game. We have to be better obviously if we want to play a Game 7.”

LeBron has now lost consecutive 1st round games for the first time in his career and it’s the first time in LeBron’s career that he trails a 1st round series after Game 5 or later. James finished with 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds. He left the court for good with almost six minutes remaining, which has caused quite a stir.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel addressed LeBron’s dramatic exit: “In terms of LeBron going in the back, LeBron had to start his treatment. It doesn’t do any good for him to sit over there without getting worked on or beginning the treatment as soon as possible to help him get ready for Game 6.”

Los Angeles was without Anthony Davis, who was sidelined by a groin injury. After the game, Lakers coach Frank Vogel said after warming up, Davis couldn’t go. Markieff Morris got the start in Davis’ absence, but he finished with just four points in 10 minutes. Davis is officially questionable for Game 6.

“My mindset is that he’s not going to be able to play in Game 6,” LeBron said. His 14-0 record in first-round playoff series is in peril. James’ average of 33.7 points per game in postseason elimination games is the highest in NBA history.

LeBron certainly needs more help if Davis is out. On Tuesday, Dennis Schroder missed all nine of his field-goal attempts and had only one assist. Marc Gasol had 5 points in 10 minutes as he was in foul trouble. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the game in the 3rd quarter due to the left knee contusion that kept him out of the previous game.

Game Trends

  • Suns are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
  • Suns are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 playoff games as an underdog.
  • Suns are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
  • Lakers are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games overall.
  • Lakers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games.
  • Lakers are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite.

Expert NBA Prediction

Lakers 110, Suns 108

 
 

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