NBA Betting – Will the Suns Set in L.A. as NBA Betting Underdogs on Thursday Night?

Resiliency. That’s a word that’s usually left for the Los Angeles Lakers, but now it’s the word that can be used to describe the Phoenix Suns.

After getting squashed in Game 1 and Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, the Phoenix Suns bounced back in a big way in Game 3 and Game 4. Now, they have a chance to go up 3 to 2 over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Thursday night.

But it’s not going to be easy. The Suns are a big, big underdog basketball bet in Game 5. Can Phoenix possibly win a third straight game against the mighty Lakers or will L.A. block out Phoenix’s shooters?

Phoenix Suns vs. L.A. Lakers

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

When: May 27th, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST

TV: TNT

NBA Sportsbook Betting Line

Phoenix Suns +8 -110 +320
Los Angeles Lakers -8 -110 -400

The trends for this game obviously favor the Los Angeles Lakers. After the spanking they put on the Suns in Game 1 and Game 2, how could the trends not? The trends are one of the reasons that the Lakers are 8-point favorites.

How come I’m not listing the trends? Because sometimes, rarely, but sometimes a sports gamblers has to take a huge leap of faith and a huge risk. I’ve been hurt by taking such risks and could be hurt again tonight, but I feel that it’s a calculated risk and that the risk is backed up by solid facts.

That risk that I’ll be taking will be to bet the Phoenix Suns to win Game 5. To me, the Lakers haven’t figured out the zone defense and unless they do, they won’t win another game in this series.

Am I confident in writing that? Yes, actually, I am. The Lakers’ shooting percentage was 49.5% in Game 4, but the percentage from 3-point land was, once again, atrocious. L.A. shot 32.1% from behind the arc. They were 9 out of 28.

Well, stop shooting 3-pointers and dump the ball down to the bigs is what everybody is saying, right? That’s easier said than done because the way to beat the zone is to…you guessed it! Shoot and hit 3-point shots.

If the Lakers can’t hit their 3-point shots, then they’re doomed. It’s as simple as that. Coach Phil can’t ask his players to not shoot the 3 if it’s an open shot and his shooters have no where else to go with the ball. The Lakers have to keep shooting the 3.

By contrast, the Suns actually did okay from behind the arc in Game 4 shooting 36.7%. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Suns can actually improve to closer to 40 to 45% from behind the arc.

It’s crazy, but that’s my take on it. I really believe it’s going to happen. I’m rolling the dice big time in this game on Thursday night.

I’m making a basketball bet on the Phoenix Suns to win this game straight-up at +320 in the NBA sportsbook.

NBA Betting Pick: Phoenix Suns +320