2 min read • March 13, 2022
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Check out the matchup Court View here.
Sunday night's matchup features two Western Conference teams at opposite ends of the standings. Phoenix has had the best record in the NBA for a majority of the season and are built for a deep playoff run once again.
The Lakers, 29-37, currently sit in ninth place and are 3-7 in their last 10 games.
The Suns are 8.5-point favorites at home and the over/under is 230, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Phoenix Suns - 83.8 SIC Health Score
The Suns are still adjusting to the loss of Chris Paul, who is out for several more weeks with a fractured right thumb.
Cameron Payne ($6,500) has filled in well at the point guard spot and has especially excelled at facilitating the offense.
Payne has averaged 9.7 assists in six games since he returned from a wrist injury.
Phoenix will also be without Cameron Johnson, who has missed the last four games with a quad contusion.
That has opened up more minutes for Torrey Craig ($3,600) and Landry Shamet ($4,100), but left them thin on the scoring end lately.
Most of that has been remedied with the return of Devin Booker ($10,400) after he missed time recently with COVID-19.
Los Angeles Lakers - 75.1 SIC Health Score
Los Angeles continues to feel the strain left by the absence of Anthony Davis, who is likely out until the playoffs with a mid-foot sprain.
The offensive burden has fallen to Lebron James ($10,900), who is nursing his own left knee issue that has caused him to miss games with soreness.
Despite the knee limiting his availability, James hasn't missed a step offensively and dropped 50-point performances against the Warriors and Wizards in the last week.
James is listed as questionable for the game with knee soreness, but the ProBasketballDocs expect he will play.
Malik Monk ($6,300) is probable for the game with a shoulder ailment and has also provided a scoring boost with Davis out of the lineup.
Dwight Howard ($3,500) has taken a backseat to Wenyen Gabriel ($3,500). Gabriel will get the start and gets a tough matchup against DeAndre Ayton ($7,000).
Potential Plays
-8.5 PHO - Healthier team and will likely have extra motivation from Friday's close loss to the Raptors
Ayton O10.5 rebounds - He's averaged 13 rebounds in two meetings with the Lakers
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