Suns at Lakers – NBA Playoff Odds

A crucial Western Conference finals Game Five features the Phoenix Suns, who are looking to keep their momentum going as they visit the Los Angeles Lakers, tonight at 9 PM ET at STAPLES Center in a must-win situation for both squads.

NBA Betting Odds:
Phoenix Suns +8
Los Angeles Lakers -8
O/U 217

NBA betting fans shouldn’t expect the same mistakes from the Lakers as in Games 3 and 4 because as you know Phil Jackson is an old fox who won’t make the same errors again once he has learned from them.

The Lakers’ problems are easy to solve. They must stop attacking the rim in the games played in Phoenix and settle down with their jump shots and three-pointers. This is not LA’s game, not even close.

I’ll bet Jackson will try to put the ball in the paint, trying to get Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum into a rhythm early in the game.  The zone defense played by the Suns at Phoenix will likely be the same; the answer is driving to the basket, and the Lakers know this.

Also, expect Los Angeles to turn it up on defense.  So far they have been lazy on the defensive side of the ball, committing too many fouls without actually having a good result.
On the other side, don’t expect Alvin Gentry to slow down his team. They are rolling now, and the only way they could make it to the NBA finals is by stealing this one.  So as usual, expect a high-scoring game, making it clear than the over is the safest bet on this one.

The NBA betting trends don’t suggest much for tonight, as the Suns are 2-5 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points and the Lakers are 6-7 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points.
Keep in mind that Los Angeles is 12-3 ATS after 3 or more consecutive overs, but 12-3 ATS after a division game.

Phoenix, on the other hand, is 33-14 ATS after allowing 105 points or more and 24-9 ATS versus good offensive teams that score 99+ points per game in the second half of the season.

Simmons’ pick:  Take the Suns and the points plus the OVER.