Game: Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Odds: Suns +1.5, Lakers -1.5
Total: 228.5
When the Los Angeles Lakers host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in an NBA in-season tournament quarterfinal, LeBron James, in his 21st season, gets a new stage to play on. James led the Lakers to the top seed in the West going into the win-and-advance quarterfinals with a 4-0 record in group play in the inaugural event. Tonight’s winner will play on Thursday in a semifinal in Las Vegas. They will get the New Orleans Pelicans who beat Sacramento 127-117 on the road last night.
James displayed his fire during Saturday’s 107-97 Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Houston Rockets. In addition to receiving a technical foul for a verbal altercation with Rockets coach Ime Udoka in the fourth quarter, he backed into the lane for a 360-degree reverse layup. Udoka was ejected from the game.
When James hit that layup, it brought the Lakers bench onto the court in celebration. Christian Wood was called for a technical foul. James and Udoka got into it and, in the end, the Lakers got a double-digit win. It was their second win in three games. James did suffer a bruised calf, which has left him questionable for tonight’s game.
The Lakers defeated Phoenix 122-119 on November 10 to start their in-season tournament group stage schedule. They snapped a three-game losing streak by overcoming a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit. Since that game, the Lakers have won nine of their last 13 games.
After falling to the Lakers, the Suns have won eight of their last ten games. Included in that run is a seven-game winning streak and a 3-1 record in West Group A play. Devin Booker scored 34 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out seven assists as Phoenix defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 116-109 at home on Saturday to advance to the tournament quarterfinals.
After making a comeback from a calf injury early in the season, Booker has averaged 27.1 points and 7.9 assists in nine games. The Suns lost 119-111 without him in the first game of a back-to-back set on Friday against the visiting Denver Nuggets. The Suns are still waiting for stars Bradley Beal, Booker, and Kevin Durant to all be on the court at the same time. Due to a back injury, Beal has only appeared in three games and will be out again tonight.
Through 18 games this season, Durant has averaged 31 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, while Booker has averaged 27.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.4 assists through his 11 games. Eric Gordon of Phoenix is doubtful for tonight’s game due to a right knee contusion.
Both teams have been trending Over recently. Eight of the Suns last ten games have gone Over the total. The Lakers have seen four of their last five games go Over. It’s true in this series as well. Four of the last five Suns-Lakers games have gone Over. Interestingly, the Under has cashed in each of the last five Lakers home games.
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