NBA Playoff Betting Free Pick – Phoenix Will Push Series To Seven Games

Ron Artest went from dud to stud in a matter of minutes. After bricking a three-pointer with so much time left on the clock, and a fresh shot-clock to boot, Artest nailed a put-back that iced Game 5 to save the day for the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a thrilling fourth quarter by the Suns, and they can’t hang their heads and be deterred. If you’re looking for an NBA free pick, don’t bet against Phoenix showing that same kind of gritty resolve this weekend.

Kobe Bryant scored 30-points and Derek Fisher backed him up with 22-points of his own, but as the announcers on TNT pointed out, Phoenix’s version of the zone has aptly put the threat of Pau Gasol to rest in the fourth quarter. Gasol went just 1-for-4 in the final leg of the game.

Still, Artest’s late game heroics reminded us that the Lakers have so many damn weapons. That arsenal, however, still shot just 41.8 percent from the field and a ghastly 29.2 percent from range. Their defense is also allowing Phoenix to gain ground on the scoreboard, especially with every player in their 10-man rotation finding a definitive groove.

Before we get to Phoenix, the Suns’ defense has to be put under the microscope first. Jason Richardson was caught looking at Kobe’s hopeful game winner instead of doing what he’s supposed to be doing – boxing out anybody who comes near him. It also goes without saying that Channing Frye shouldn’t have been on the floor at that time. He got shoved out of the way by Artest to give him the chance to win the game. Whoops.

Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) vs. Phoenix Suns (54-28)
Saturday, May 29th – US Airways Center – 8:30pm EST
NBA Betting Line: Phoenix -1. (216)

The Suns are still a team that depends on three-point shooting to get their offense rolling. Channing Frye especially has come out firing in the past two efforts, scoring 14-points in each game during bench minutes. As good as the bench has been for Phoenix, they still must rely on their superstars. Nash and Stoudemire are well aware of that.

The big three for Phoenix finished with 60-points and while Nash’s 29 accounted for just less than half of that, it goes without saying that this team needs either J-Rich or Amar’e to boost their scoring by a lot.

With this series swinging back to Phoenix on Saturday, I couldn’t like this game for Phoenix anymore than I do. The one-point basketball spread is a layup for betting fans, especially given that Phoenix us undefeated in five games at home and 5-0 ATS at US Airways Center.

The Suns were one defensive lapse and a chance effort by Artest from pushing this game in to overtime and possibly swinging the series their way. With a final home game in Phoenix, they’re home crowd will help give them that boost of energy as they push the Lakers to the brink. Steve Nash isn’t letting this series get away from him so easily, broken face or not.

Furious NBA Playoff Free Pick – Phoenix -1 (OVER)